ITEMSOF INTEREST

• Tom Mathison voiced his concern about spending county money to purchase Rattlesnake Key by showing a PowerPoint presentation on sea-level rise.NOAA charts indicated that there has already been a 6-inch sea level rise over the past 20 years in the area and predicted another 12-14 inches of rise will occur by 2050, thus putting the Key underwater. Rattlesnake Key could become the next state park in Manatee County if an effort to purchase the land by the state is successful.Manatee County has agreed to contribute $3 million towards the purchase.
  
• Andrea Griffin made an issue with the plexiglass divider at the comments podium, which is the only Covid precaution remaining. In commissioner comments, Kruse stated that it was to ensure "our safety that served no purpose in the first place.“ He motioned that the plexiglass shield be removed. Passed unanimously.

• Project Sapphire is a proposed Economic Development Incentives (EDI) grant, not to exceed $120,630 over a 5-year period. EDIs are available to qualifying businesses creating new high-wage job opportunities, either by expanding an existing business or by bringing a new business to Manatee County. More information on the application is in the above link.
  
• Commissioner Kruse stated he had no idea what "Project Sapphire“ is and objects to the lack of coordination between regions in what he sees as a company that just wants to expand with taxpayer dollars.He continued that the county doesn’t need more employers and feels they are "dribbling“ money to small companies instead of going after large corporations that will bring more resources.This grant applicant is proposing to add 57 jobs with an average wage of $50,000.
  
• Commissioner Servia related her experience with economic development grants, which she described as a systematic approach to bringing a good return on investment (ROI) to the county.She felt Sarasota County hasn’t needed incentives to bring in the type of companies that go to that county; Manatee County has been more focused on manufacturing.
  
• Commissioner Whitmore reminded the Board that the EDC was started when unemployment in Manatee was 12%.(Note: On November 10, 2020, the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners adopted the revised Manatee County Incentive Program Guidelines which provides for Economic Development Incentive (EDI) Grants.) She felt that it would be appropriate to review the salary requirements for applicants to receive the incentive grant.
  
• Commissioner Bellamy questioned wherepeople would live if additional jobs were created here since workforce housing is a challenge.
  
• County Administrator Hopes stated that Project Sapphire represents the type of job that students graduating from Manatee Technical College could move into.
  
• County Attorney Clague noted that Florida law gives the county room to be flexible with economic incentives however it has been many years since the Manatee County policy was reviewed.It was agreed to review the policy.
  
• The "Project Sapphire“ grant was approved unanimously.

• Fifty-four percent of the community who answered a survey (created with input from the Friends of the Library) voted for "Lakewood Ranch Branch Library“. Commissioner Baugh put forward a motion to name the library "Lakewood Ranch Library“ which passed unanimously.
  

• Baugh said she submitted this proposal so that it is clear when a lobbyist is speaking with the commission, either individually or as a group.
  
• After robust discussion, and a warning by Clague that there were more than just legal issues to be considered, a motion by Baugh to refer her draft to Clague for research and re-writing passed unanimously.

• Baugh shared that the wording was copied directly from Hillsborough County and was meant to apply to everyone including Commissioners. County Attorney Clague corrected Baugh saying it clearly states and only covers volunteers as written. Baugh said she wanted Clague to get the wording right. Baugh stated several times that it’s not right for complaints to only go to the Department head who can easily bury any complaint.
  
• Bellamy said people’s lives had been seriously impacted in the last couple of years and that staff are concerned and fearful of unfounded allegations and of manager retaliation. Bellamy especially wanted whatever Clague drafted to include consequences.
  
• Claguesaid he had major concerns about the Baugh wording if the Board wanted this to apply to employees. He knew it violated some employee laws.
  
• Motion by Baugh to refer her draft to Claguefor research and re-writing passed unanimously.

• Servia shared Sarasota has made majorchanges to their public transit system that saves them money and improves service. She wanted Manatee to get serious about studying and making such changes.
  
• Satcher expressed that he wants environmental responsibilities (specifically Preserves) separated from Parks. Hopes stated that the major department reorganization plan he’s working on would separate environmental from park responsibilities.
  
• Satcher commented that he wants all county employees to be able to carry concealed firearms in county buildings and property.
  
• Hopes announced that a staff member had figured out how to satisfy SWFWMD's(Southwest Florida Water Management District) requirements and had issued a bid request for additional parking at the Fort Hamer boat ramp. All Commissioners were pleased.
• Kruse talked about a company that does 3D printing of small houses in 24 hours that sell for $170,000. He also asked that the BoCC meeting on August 30^thbe moved so that most if not all Commissioners could attend the Affordable Housing Conference in Orlando.

• Rather than a commissioner submitting a copied draft of a new policy, it would be better to direct staff to research and draft the desired policy, after the commissioners discuss it in the sunshine and ensure their desired result(s) are communicated.
  
• During the discussion of Project Sapphire, the discussion got heated and personal, rather than listening attentively, working collaboratively, and striving to achieve consensus.
  
• Commissioners should behave in a non-partisan manner, especially when considering items and making decisions. Some commissioners persist in frequent, unnecessary and divisivepartisan comments.
  

• Christian – 92.6% (77.8% Evangelical)