Link to the Agenda and Video

Invocation – Pastor Michael Harrison, New Wine Worship Center

Pledge Of Allegiance – Ahmad Jimmerson, Veteran Outreach Specialist, Manatee County Government. A color guard participated in the pledge.

Announcements

Updates to Agenda – February 24, February 25, February 26, February 27, March 2, 2026

Awards/Presentations/Proclamations

Proclamations

Honoring Commissioner Carol Ann Felts

• The BOCC honored Commissioner Carol Ann Felts who passed away unexpectedly. Her seat on the dais was draped in black, and a vase of flowers was in front of her seat. Some of the highlights include:
• Two videos – one prepared by staff and one prepared by the community.
• The hymn Amazing Grace sung a cappella by Victoria Kallins.
• Palmetto Mayor Dan West and Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown each read a proclamation, and the proclamations were presented to the Felts family sitting in the first row.
• Commissioner Siddique read a tribute letter from Congressman Vern Buchanan of the 16^th District honoring Commissioner Carol Ann Felts, which was given to the family.
• One of her sons spoke and noted that:
• While Carol Ann always said she was an 8th generation Floridian, the line now stretches to 10 generations.
• She was a “force of nature” and protected the rural Florida life and the environment.
• Each Commissioner, County Attorney D’Agostino, and County Administrator Bishop made personal statements honoring Felts.

Citizen Comments

Thirteen people made public comments honoring Felts. These included Manatee School Board Chair Cindy Spray and Holmes Beach Commissioner Carol Whitmore. Frequently used words of praise included faithful, steadfast, devoted, legacy, commitment, and service. It was noted that she was a good person with a wealth of history and knowledge.

 

Requests By Commissioners (Items to be pulled from Consent Agenda)

No items pulled by Commissioners.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Approved 6-0

 

CITIZEN COMMENTS (Consideration for Future Agenda Items – 30 Minute Time Limit)

• Lindsey Leigh, founder of Home Grown Market, praised Felts and felt that Felts wanted to build an army of informed citizens. Leigh concluded that protection of Myakka River is urgent.
• Heidi Minihkeim, a Myakka City activist, stated that Myakka won’t compromise on a current requirement that every lot be at least 5 acres. They aren’t going to let Myakka be turned into Parrish or Lakewood Ranch.
• Andra wanted a reduction in the number of county staff.

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner Siddique commented that:

• The federal designation of “wild and scenic” might be feasible for Myakka River. He explained that state and local protections depended on getting Senate Bill 180 fixed so comprehensive plans can be revised.
• Currently there is a job freeze, and there are many unfilled positions.

REGULAR

Community and Veterans Services

Item 7. Authorizing CVS staff to prepare required documents to modify the current mortgage held with Community Assisted and Supported Living, Inc. (CASL) for the Legacy Village I affordable housing project – Tracie Adams, Deputy Director – District 4

Scott Eller, Executive Director and CEO of CASL, explained they needed more funds than was previously approved to renovate the prior Budget Inn property for the affordable housing project.

Commissioner Kruse summarized the situation saying that the derelict property needed to be demolished rather than rehabbed. He praised the organization and said this would be truly affordable housing available only to those with very low incomes. Kruse asked why the new building needed a generator and Eller responded that it is a federal requirement since occupants will be medically compromised.

Commissioners Rahn and Bearden also praised the project.

Approved 6-0.

Government Relations

Item 41. Strategic Plan Progress Update

Strategic Plan Placemat, Manatee County Strategic Plan Implementation Update & Execution Roadmap

Rob Burke, Process Improvement Division Manager, presented the Strategic Plan outlining goals of major areas of County management: land management policy; transportation and infrastructure; government efficiency; safety and environmental protection; economic development and tourism; and veterans and public services. The staff is in the process of aligning the BoCC priorities with the strategic plan goals, objectives, and action steps.

Property Management

Item 35. Bishop Animal Shelter, 5718 21st Avenue West, Bradenton, Florida 34209 – Michelle Wehrle, Construction Services Manager, and Angela Honts, Project Manager – District 3

Wehrle of Animal Welfare services presented a video for the proposed additions to the Bishop Animal Shelter and timeline. Phase 1, now complete, was the construction of the adoption center, and Phase 2 is the project to expand and improve how the animals are housed. There was then a verbal summary of a report from the University of Florida (UF) which visited the site and reviewed the facilities and the future plans for safety considerations.

Public Comments:

13 people spoke in strong opposition to the plan, citing concern for staff, volunteer and animal safety due to inadequate space, narrow hallways, not having services under one roof, dangerous design of egress with steps into kennel buildings, hallways too to safely convey dogs in and out of the kennels, and the temporary nature of pre-fab buildings.

Commissioner Comments:

Commissioner McCann requested a copy of the UF written report, and Wehrle will request it. He also wanted to know when animals will be moved into the new facility; that date has not yet been determined. In addition, he asked about the timing of appointments to the newly established Advisory Board; the positions were posted in February.

McCann questioned why the report was not given by the University of Florida project manager and why the report was not available to the commissioners and the public.

 

Item 36. Appointment of One Applicant to the Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Advisory Committee – Kara Koenig, Environmental Lands Program Section Manager – Countywide

Scott Tussing was renominated for ELMAC.

Approved 6-0.

 

Sports & Leisure Services

Item 37. Execution of Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Addendum to Agreement No. 26-TA006262DJ for Country Club East Baseball Fields project; and Adoption of Budget Amendment Resolution B-26-061 – David Arbelaez Montoya, Project Manager – District 5

Molly White, County Director of Sports and Leisure Services, presented the plan for three proposed Little League baseball fields to be located at the county-owned 15-acre park in the Country Club East neighborhood near a local elementary school. This property was deeded to the county for the purpose of parks and recreation in 2009 by the developer. The presentation addressed population growth, field locations, lighting, days and hours of operation, and parking. She explained that new Little League ball fields are now urgently needed due to the county’s population growth—over 5,000 children moved into the County between 2020 and 2025—and the addition of four new elementary schools.

 

Public Comments

Three people spoke on behalf of hundreds of Country Club East residents to express strong opposition to the new Little League baseball fields. Among them was Nancy Haas, President of the Board of Directors of the Country Club East HOA, representing residents in the HOA’s seven neighborhoods. Concerns were voiced about traffic disruption, negative environmental impact on wetlands, fencing, intrusive late-night lighting, increase of noise levels and the location of a high intensity sports/commercial activity in a residential neighborhood. One resident charged lack of transparency and backroom dealing.

Eight people were strongly in favor of the ball fields including parents, residents, a grandparent who provided over 1,000 signatures in support, President of Lakewood Ranch Little League Alan Dohl, and a Lakewood Ranch Little League coach. They advocated for of the benefits of Little League for children, instilling values, encouraging healthy outdoor play, creating strong bonds among players, families and the community and important life lessons, as well as their desire to support and invest in youth. They feel the fields will be a great amenity for families and residents, the type families seek when moving to the area. They noted the need for fields currently for the oversubscribed Little League program and to provide for the growing population.

Commissioner Comments:

Kruse expressed exasperation with the accusation that the project was undertaken in secret stating he had met with Lakewood Ranch (LWR) East residents 6-9 months ago to review the project.

Kruse, Siddique, and Bearden strongly supported the field stating that safety is a core government function, providing baseball fields for youth promotes a safe and healthy environment, and a positive amenity for the neighborhood. They noted that the noise and light is not intrusive and families using the park discourages crime and meets the needs of young families.

The county will provide 3 rather than 4 fields to provide more open space and the county waited to develop the baseball fields until demand made it a necessity.

McCann stated he represents LWR and questioned if this is the only location available to put these fields. He was frustrated that they can’t make everyone happy and felt residents are entitled to quiet neighborhoods.

Approved 5-1. McCann opposed.

Utilities

Item 38. Adoption of Resolution R-26-032, authorizing Implementation of the Pipeline Resiliency Project, Execution and Delivery of Florida State Revolving Fund Loan Application, and Acceptance of $17,569,584.50 in Principal Forgiveness, $17,569,584.50 in Zero Percent Interest Financing, and Pledging Utilities Revenues to the Project – Patrick Shea, Utilities Director

Approved 6-0.

COMMISSIONER AGENDA ITEMS

Item 39. Proposed 12-Month Dementia Public Safety and Navigation Hub

McCann introduced Marsha McPherson who, on behalf of a non-profit that provides local dementia resources, requested public space in County offices to host a pilot program to provide a resource hub for families and caregivers to align with County services dealing with dementia and crisis care.

 

Commissioner Comments

Ballard spoke of her personal experiences with family members with dementia and expressed appreciation that the topic was brought forward for the BOCC to consider.

Commissioners Siddique made a motion to have staff work with Marsha to investigate what a hub might look like and learn more about the non-profit and how the County might partner, possibly integrating the hub with the existing Department of Aging Services.

 

Public Comments:

Six citizens voiced strong support for the creation of the hub, including many that had professional experience working in the field, and many that had personal experience with family members.

Motion to instruct county staff find and locate a hub that can be used as a 12-month operation center that can house a full-time dementia navigator, part-time dementia trainer/coach, and part-time Administrative support, and standardized intake/documentation/quarterly reporting, and to bring this item back at the next available meeting.

Approved 6-0.

Item 43. Re-Naming Myakka City’s Crane Park in Honor of the Late Commissioner Carol Ann Felts

Motion was made to direct staff to create the required fiscal impact statement and to direct the county attorney to review any legal considerations for renaming a section of the David James Crane Park as Commissioner Carol Ann Felts Preserve and to bring back a resolution to the Board for the renaming.

Approved 6-0

Item 44. Rural Lands and Citizens’ Advisory Board

Motion was made to direct staff to draft a resolution for a Rural Citizens and Lands Advisory Board as described by Ballard. Ballard described the objectives of the board, types of members, and meeting locations as planned by Commissioner Felts.

Approved 6-0

 

Item 46. Notification of Vacancy in Office – County Commissioner Carol Ann Felts – D’Agostino

Before the Governor can appoint a board member replacement, or the position can be placed on the next election’s ballot, the position must be declared vacant.

Approved 6-0