Manatee County Commissioners to Consider Animal Advisory Board Revisions, Major Agreements at Feb. 17 Meeting

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 9 a.m., with a wide-ranging agenda that includes advisory board restructuring, development agreements, grant applications, and public safety initiatives.

Commissioners are scheduled to consider proclamations recognizing the First Biblical Baptist Church’s Grand Reopening and Rededication Ceremony and Black History Month.

Later in the meeting, Government Relations staff will present an update on Manatee County Day. A strategic plan progress update has been deferred to the March 3 meeting.

The consent agenda includes a proposed $99,999.99 settlement in the case of Moises Hernandez Claros v. Manatee County.

Financial items include the adoption of a budget amendment resolution and authorization to issue purchase orders for two infilled synthetic turf systems at Premier Sports Complex and a 30-foot Contender step hull rescue vessel with custom modifications for emergency response operations. Commissioners will also consider agreements for professional design services for a new Public Works Fleet Maintenance Facility and countywide tree removal services.

Environmental and resilience initiatives include execution of a work assignment related to the SeaPort Manatee Resilience Plan and authorization to apply for funding through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Gopher Tortoise Habitat Management Assistance Program.

Infrastructure and transportation funding requests include authorization to apply for a U.S. Department of Transportation BUILD grant.

Additional consent items address development agreements for Project Grace and Project Phoenix, amendments to the Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery Action Plan grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and acceptance of a warranty deed for property along Lorraine Road in Bradenton.

Public safety matters include securing the property and pool perimeter on 71st Terrace East in Sarasota and executing a purchase agreement with the Central Florida Behavioral Health Network for the Coordinated Opioid Recovery Program.

Public Works will seek approval of an agreement for capital contributions and impact-fee credits for signalization improvements.

Under regular business, commissioners will consider adopting Resolution R-26-006 to reinstate and amend the Manatee County Animal Services Advisory Board, including updates to membership categories and operations, and to repeal and replace a prior 2015 resolution.

A second resolution, R-26-017, would establish a new Animal Services Technical Advisory Board to provide technical expertise in support of the advisory board and the county’s Animal Welfare Division.

Commissioners will review a non-binding letter of intent between Manatee County and Community Assisted and Supported Living, Inc., regarding properties on 63rd Avenue East in Bradenton. An item related to the Bishop Animal Shelter has been deferred to March 3.

The meeting also includes time for citizen comments, commissioner agenda items, and reports from the county attorney and county administrator before adjournment.