Link to the Agenda

AWARDS/PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS

Presentation of the Team Member of the Month for September 2026

Danny Swain, County Surveyor, Surveying and Mapping Division, Department of Property Management, joined the division in 2025 and has transformed the culture of Surveying and Mapping to performing many in-house surveys that were previously contracted to outside firms. He has elevated the division to new heights while staying in budget and hiring no new employees.

Project Grace Follow-Up Discussion and Staff Responses to Board and Community Questions and Concerns – District 5

The General Development Plan (GDP) for Premiere Sports was originally approved and subsequently amended over the years by the Board of County Commissioners. It was determined by Development Services staff that Project Grace was an approved use in the GDP and would follow the Administrative Review process. County staff evaluated three possible sites, all within the Premier Sports Campus as a recreational use in the form of an ice skating rink. The next step in the Administrative Review process is the submission of a Final Site Plan.

At the July 28, 2026, meeting, the Board approved a motion directing staff to pause discussions, explore an alternative location for the project, and return with additional information that addresses citizen concerns and provides options for future Board consideration. Subsequently, staff asked the proposed developer, Icemann Development, LLC, about relocating the facility elsewhere in Manatee County; however, the developer does not have any interest in an alternative location, so staff did not do an analysis of alternative locations.

Commissioners questioned the project’s viability, lack of alternative site review, and insufficient information. Concerns focused on economic feasibility, incomplete briefings, and limited transparency. Icemann’s representative described added revenue features and cited past success, but commissioners remained unsure the proposed ice rink or gym, could sustain itself financially.

Motion was made by Commissioner Bob McCann to direct staff to end negotiations with Icemann Development, LLC.

Citizen Comments

Approximately 20 residents and representatives from Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex stated concerns and/or thanked the Board for ending the negotiations with Icemann Development, LLC.

Approved 6-0.

Proclamations

25th Anniversary of 9/11 and Honoring Kay Daniels Day – Ms. Daniels was the teacher photographed sitting next to President Bush when he received the news about the Twin Towers. Recognition of the 25th Anniversary and Kay Daniels will be held on September 11, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. at the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa.

Tribute to Heroes’ Day – The proclamation remembers and honors the 9/11 victims and recognizes the firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, military members, and citizens who responded that day and continue to respond without hesitation when called.

Tim Geer, Fire Chief for the City of Bradenton, along with Fire Chiefs from the county’s Fire Districts, encouraged everyone to remember what happened in the aftermath of one of the nation’s darkest days – Americans coming together, flying flags, and strangers helping each other, and knowing that the things that divide us are not as important as what brings us together. Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue Training Chief Billy Smith invited everyone to attend the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Memorial on September 11 at Rossi Park in Bradenton starting at 9:30 a.m.

Usher Syndrome Awareness Day – The proclamation recognizes Usher Syndrome, the leading cause of combined deafness and blindness, to raise public awareness of the condition.

REQUESTS BY COMMISSIONERS (Items to be pulled from Consent Agenda)

Items 14, 18, and 19 were pulled by McCann.

CONSENT AGENDA

The League encourages residents to read the full meeting agenda to learn about the approved consent items.

Motion to accept the Consent Agenda was made by Commissioner George Kruse.

Approved 5-0. Commissioner Mike Rahn absent.

 

CITIZEN COMMENTS (Consideration for Future Agenda Items)

A resident supported having short-term rental regulations since her quiet neighborhood is no longer quiet because the house next door is now a short-term rental.

A citizen was concerned because nothing has been done about reopening the Tallevast Community Center. Rahn responded noting that a meeting is scheduled for September 21, 2026, with senior county staff to determine what can be done with the center.

ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

Item 14. Authorization to Issue a Piggyback Purchase Order to Carahsoft Technology Corporation for Peregrine Technologies Cloud Solutions Services, Jodie Fiske, Director of Public Safety Department – Countywide

Motion to approve by McCann. Approved 6-0.

Item 18. Execution of Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Addendum No. 3 to Agreement No. 21-R077666CD for Construction Management at Risk Services for Southeast Water Reclamation Facility, Upgrade and Expansion Project, Patrick Shea, Director of Utilities – District 5

Motion to approve by Rahn. Approved 6-0.

Item 19. Ratification of Emergency Purchase Order Nos. P2601062, P2601064 and P2601076 for Repairs of Underground Medium Voltage at the Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant, Patrick Shea, Utilities Director – Countywide

Motion to approve by McCann. Approved 6-0.

ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARINGS – LEGISLATIVE

Item 30. Adoption of Ordinance 26-40, Amending Article IV of Chapter 2-25 of the Manatee County Code and Revising ELMAC Membership Eligibility, Terms, Number of Seats and Procedures, Kara Koenig, Environmental Lands Program Manager – Countywide

The revision would reduce the Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Advisory Committee (ELMAC) Board members from 17 to 15. Board eligibility would be a degree or certification in Natural Science, with a background in passive outdoor sports/entertainment.

The ELMAC Board would do the due diligence regarding site acquisition. Contracts and Work Plans would need to be reviewed and approved by both the ELMAC Board and the County Commissioners.

McCann moved to approve the ordinance. Approved 6-0.

REGULAR

Administrator

Item 31. Confirmation of Appointment of Chief Financial Officer

McCann asked if Claudia Compos was a CPA and she is not. McCann stated he believes a CFO should be a CPA and asked to see a job description of the CFO position.

Commissioner Tal Siddique said he had worked with Compos and spoke highly of her. Commissioner George Kruse said the County Administrator had the responsibility of selecting and hiring the county staff.

Motion to confirm by Kruse. Approved 4-2. McCann and Commissioner Jason Bearden opposed.

Item 32. Confirmation of Appointment of Deputy County Administrator

McCann asked about qualifications and education of Stephanie Garrison and criticized the County Administrator for not supplying more information about the candidate.

County Administrator Bishop became upset at the treatment of the staff and disregard for his recommendation.

Motion to confirm the appointment by Kruse. Approved 4-2. McCann and Bearden opposed.

Community and Veterans Services

Item 33. Appoint a Total of Six (6) Members to the Children’s Services Advisory Board with Terms Beginning October 1, 2026, Melissa Bomar, Children’s Services Section Manager

Xtavia Bailey, Christopher Collins, Jannon Pierce, Rita Smith, Heather Felton, and Dr. Snehal Parikh were proposed as members.

Motion to approve the six members by Kruse. Approved 5-0. Bearden absent.

Government Relations

Item 34. Approval of Project Wolf – Advanced PFAS Treatment for Landfill Leachate and Biosolids at Lena Road Landfill; Adoption of Budget Amendment Resolution B-26-109; and Adoption of Resolution R-26-122, Aimee Johnson, Economic Development Division Manager – District 5

When rainwater or moisture filters down through waste piles it dissolves toxic compounds, organic waste, and minerals and is called leachate. Approval of Project Wolf would enable the CIP Capital Corporation to build a plant to treat leachate, remove contaminates, and convert it to reclaimed water which could be used primarily for irrigation.

The County Attorney had not received the revised copy of the contract in enough time to review the contract before the meeting and asked that her department have until fall or winter before making a recommendation.

Kruse moved to delay a vote until the next meeting or until the County Attorney’s office reviews the contract. Approved 5-1. Rahn opposed.

Property Management

Item 35. Adoption of Resolution R-26-97 Authorizing the Conveyance of County-owned Property, Known as the GTE Building, located at 1009 4th Avenue West, Bradenton, Florida 34205, and Execution of a County Deed to the City of Bradenton, a Florida Municipal Corporation, Peter Morrow, Property Acquisition Division Manager, District 3

Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown made a presentation requesting the conveyance of ownership to the City of Bradenton of the GTE building to be renovated for use of as a conservatory for performing arts and technical education by Pittsburgh-based Point Park University (PPU). Ownership would revert to Manatee County if the building is not used for the stated purpose.

The commissioners supported downtown Bradenton urban development and the benefit to restaurants and stores.

PPU estimates opening in Fall of 2027 with an initial enrollment of 200 students, growing to 800 to 1000 in the future.

Motion by Kruse to approve. Approved 6-0.

REPORTS

Public Works

Item 36. Light Up Manatee Project Status Update, Aaron Burkett, Traffic Operations Division Manager, and Chris DeCosta, Sr., Assessment Coordinator

Light Up Manatee focuses on adding additional LED post street lighting in thoroughfares and neighborhoods in Manatee County initially focusing on high crime and high accident areas of the county. Due to the intensity of the lighting, some neighborhoods opted to not be included.

GOVERNANCE

Link to Good Governance Guidelines

Commissioners expressed concern and frustration that significant projects were brought to the Board for a vote with insufficient background, reviews, and details. A clearer, shared process which provides complete information is needed between commissioners and staff, which may require updating past practices to better serve the county’s decision‑making needs. During this board meeting there were several disagreements between commissioners and between commissioners and staff that were laced with profanity, which is unacceptable. Siddique is commended for recessing the meeting at times to allow commissioners to calm down during the heated discussions and to get the conversation back on track. Commissioners frequently talked over each other and staff without waiting for full responses or answers. Consideration should be shown to allow others to express their points of view and share information.