[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6100805,"mediaKeyId","2812228-7f1d815076208070e5bede410423b9cb","parentId",2812228,"title","Public comment spotlights horse pollution, nighttime noise and allegations of official misconduct","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1380000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2812228-7f1d815076208070e5bede410423b9cb&start=1380&end=1380","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2812228-7f1d815076208070e5bede410423b9cb/thumbnail_1380000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6100805/Bradenton-City/Manatee-County/Florida/Public-comment-spotlights-horse-pollution-nighttime-noise-and-allegations-of-official-misconduct","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100805-d9b87a07714fdbd4b4735764627df34e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178136&Signature=DMkCoSWuii7EZWleBzGQ~MMUiCEoL8tGG-DrHhY0lqrs-N-o24rNlE3p9fLaQT788NEQIw2wg8T~W5bXzKYonPmHc3dk8~Q3KsJB-C-rFVh9PznVBKtx9bs7bk344VaaHtfyZlwSxqeOIyDuLqy86UjINuYpJIPYh2Vhph~cuM-cLVap9pxnU30G-z-Al7Ce48xEJBKlJqIc9INwAIgnUrvRGc3b05EI7uad0-7BcWUyGeZ86oefEYmBBkKAPYO0D4O1yBdt9fYhRTJFNGJtLZXzXUbT-OBfu7cS4J2idPcq13Ic8hekHIBq31063U9bsUXwys6CnPNKKxJE4o04zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Bradenton, FL","date","2025-03-28T20:27:56.063Z","article","A broad set of citizen remarks surfaced during the March 26 citizen‑comment period, including complaints about horses in local waterways, persistent noise from vehicles, and accusations that the city had failed to investigate public‑safety complaints.

Horses and water quality: Dr. Gary Lako told the council that water testing at the Skyway horse site showed bacterial exceedances while horses were present, and he said Palmasola Bay is more poorly flushed than other sites. He urged the city to enforce Ordinance 14‑6(a), which he said prohibits dumping vehicle waste into bays, rivers and streams, and suggested either banning horses from shallow water or requiring diapers for horses to protect children and other water users. \"These horses are dumping waste on every ride in that water,\" Dr. Lako said.

Noise complaints: A caller identified during the meeting as a long‑time property owner on Manatee Avenue described ongoing late‑night noise from loud mufflers and boom boxes that she said left her house shaking and made sleep difficult. City staff responded that vehicle sound enforcement is active and that officers issue citations; staff reported issuing thousands of traffic citations last year and pledged additional enforcement patrols in the caller’s neighborhood.

Allegations of misconduct: Rodney Jones, who identified himself as founder and lead activist of Civil Rights U, accused city officials and police leadership of failing to record or investigate complaints and asserted the existence of fraudulent cease‑and‑desist letters and official misconduct. City staff did not substantiate those claims during the meeting. The mayor and city attorney later described the public‑record process and statutory remedies for alleged official misconduct, and told the speaker that the city will follow established procedures for complaints and investigations.

How staff explained enforcement options: Code enforcement staff explained that investigations require either permission to enter private property or sufficient probable cause for a warrant; complaints visible from public right‑of‑way can trigger enforcement action. For noise from vehicles, staff said enforcement is possible when calls are received with identifying information and officers can locate violators.

Next steps: Councilmembers acknowledged the concerns and encouraged residents to file formal complaints with supporting evidence (photos, video, dates/times) so staff can investigate. The council did not take formal action on these comments at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bradenton City Council Meeting, March 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Residents raised a range of concerns during public comment at the March 26 meeting: water pollution linked to horses at Palmasola Bay, widespread late‑night noise on city streets, and an attendee alleging uninvestigated complaints and official misconduct; council and staff described enforcement pathways.","taxTitle","Bradenton City, Manatee County, Florida","taxId",12477,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6100810,"Council approves police station change order after debate over design, costs and AECOM charges",570,1860000,2430000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2812228-7f1d815076208070e5bede410423b9cb&start=1860&end=2430","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2812228-7f1d815076208070e5bede410423b9cb/thumbnail_1860000.jpg","/articles/6100810/Bradenton-City/Manatee-County/Florida/Council-approves-police-station-change-order-after-debate-over-design-costs-and-AECOM-charges","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100810-1c1dfddec206baa9cffb5eb3cfa53317/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178137&Signature=BwSkVdrZcNY2BzPbUvEzzO~VurQaduzwQ86Sv50utt64a7D2BSqpRyUm6RvL5gU5FMA578KDEvIu~6V6NAYWiqUcs-tudHUoezUk89dTEEcqi5Ux79y9riJdKyhyyyVuSEkuqJI2-2Kzi56UKpgXrwdHZSakPLTUA0dFOl63SkOtHW6HsXr9E8zfScnzVhuw-dCs33QP7D11UJm8BdK7XRs6HRLGOIvuyk5Si7e6Yf4MBW4b5iyKM~WcAfn2E9xQZRPMvzDeFidmeBQi7tJQqVSQoOJBBzd36bZLE7FI69dr~YaxP3NB2KmIj1eGnAngcOvBHmnm5tmYskSHOViu9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council approved a contractual change order for the new police station construction project during the March 26 meeting after staff described a mix of cost‑saving direct purchases and added expenses tied to unforeseen site conditions.

Staff summary: city staff said some major components — including a generator — were procured directly to avoid sales tax and address long lead times, producing roughly $700,000 in savings compared with having the CMAR buy those components. The council approved replacing the originally specified generator with a Caterpillar unit for about $250,000 more so the city maintains uniformity across municipal generators and simplifies future maintenance.

Construction complications: staff reported discovery of subterranean conditions at the site (old gas‑plant infrastructure, unexpected foundational elements and plumbing apertures) that raised the contract price. City management said the city had also received a set of change orders from the architect/engineer that staff considered excessive; the manager said he had sent a detailed letter to AECOM asking for justification and credits for unperformed work such as geotechnical services that should have been complete before bidding.

Council discussion: Councilmember Moore (who moved approval) and Vice Mayor Kramer (who seconded) both said they supported the change order to keep the project moving but voiced concern about some architect and consultant charges. \"We want to be good partners, but we also expect professional diligence from our consultant teams,\" a council member said during the discussion.

Vote and next steps: the council approved the change order on the consent agenda (motion to approve the consent agenda with g and j pulled, later a separate motion to approve the change order). The tally recorded a unanimous 5‑0 approval. Staff said they will continue negotiating credits with the architect and monitor construction administration billing.","Council approved a change order for the new police station construction manager at risk after staff described direct‑purchase savings, supplier backorders and unexpected subterranean site conditions; the council also discussed concerns over architectural change orders submitted by AECOM.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6100816,"Bradenton adopts backyard‑chicken rules: four hens, no roosters, 25‑foot setback and solid fence required",1380,10680000,12060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2812228-7f1d815076208070e5bede410423b9cb&start=10680&end=12060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2812228-7f1d815076208070e5bede410423b9cb/thumbnail_10680000.jpg","/articles/6100816/Bradenton-City/Manatee-County/Florida/Bradenton-adopts-backyardchicken-rules-four-hens-no-roosters-25foot-setback-and-solid-fence-required","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100816-6cc2d52ffe4825126ea0cc1016710835/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178137&Signature=AikLawwiIes2Kn6VOOkEgF1k9ptAkbslEE0sKvH4WpcPg8XMzLBE0T515sv3LytjrCueXcWyq1lhIEZeOXqWmKjxZxuj3mpKzJUpqYVMPZ1RSossBYNrbsxWsMt70Wetiho4FQWZrGC3Yz4syOdh1nAZNDduuxCz5MzC-KigkO0S28dHTG8RoLCEtT~Aymb1k4X0IMjBEBzKL0ZFq~7Y~2uedu1DYWnzo548YYy-ldP18Tj6Z90X5NwdLWFrf-0SgRNZ1yfIqXA4dvOCKVJ9bskZCnRjzUHeJSb0BnSm2QxNiyzMIYvULu8XP7kGQNY-Q0osZWaSeREp1P8GRCODdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bradenton City Council narrowly approved Ordinance 4058 on March 26, changing the city code to allow residents to keep a limited number of backyard chickens. The measure passed 4‑1 after hours of public comment and debate over enforcement, noise and impacts in the city’s denser neighborhoods.

The council’s decision: the ordinance as adopted permits up to four hens per residential property, prohibits roosters, requires a permitting process, mandates a minimum 25‑foot separation from any adjacent residential dwelling and requires a six‑foot solid enclosure (fence or wall) installed flush with grade around the yard portion containing the coop and run. The council rejected a motion to delete the permitting requirement; it adopted the other amendments and removed a veterinary‑proof requirement that had appeared in earlier drafts.

Why it matters: council members and staff said the city’s higher density compared with the county and existing drainage easements and flood‑prone lots make placement and enforcement more complicated. \"If there's a permit, we have legal authority to inspect conditions of that permit; without it enforcement relies on neighbor evidence and potential special magistrate hearings,\" said Robin Singer, the city’s planning and community development director.

What the public said: opponents presented video and photographs and described daily noise, feathers and fecal debris entering yards and pools during storms. \"The 6‑foot fence won’t stop feces from flooding under the fence unless it’s installed flush with grade,\" said Sarah Johnston, a neighbor who opposed the change. Patrick Penousek, another opponent, said the draft lacked a 25‑foot dwelling‑to‑coop separation used by county rules.

Staff and code enforcement said permitting improves the city’s ability to ensure compliance. Falko Royce, the city compliance manager, told council that most chicken complaints had been complaint‑driven and that the city cannot enter private property without permission or a warrant; a permit would provide the legal basis to inspect permitted coops for compliance with permit terms.

Council discussion centered on balancing equity and neighborhood impacts. Supporters said the change would let more residents comply rather than violate the current ban and would help attract younger households who favor small‑scale urban agriculture. Opponents pointed to enforcement challenges and the potential for noise, odor and health concerns in close‑in neighborhoods.

Vote and next steps: Vice Mayor Kramer moved adoption with the amendments; Councilmember Coachman seconded. The ordinance passed 4‑1 (Ward 2 recorded the lone no vote). Staff said the ordinance will be codified and the permitting process and inspection workflow will be finalized for public use.","After a lengthy public hearing, the Bradenton City Council approved Ordinance 4058 to allow up to four hens on residential lots with a permitting process retained, a 25‑foot setback from adjacent dwellings, and a six‑foot solid fence installed flush with grade; the vote was 4‑1.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6100820,"Bradenton council approves contract with Woodard & Curran to operate wastewater plant",900,7620000,8520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2812228-7f1d815076208070e5bede410423b9cb&start=7620&end=8520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2812228-7f1d815076208070e5bede410423b9cb/thumbnail_7620000.jpg","/articles/6100820/Bradenton-City/Manatee-County/Florida/Bradenton-council-approves-contract-with-Woodard-Curran-to-operate-wastewater-plant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100820-38823895aa53491ed9ef6a66e75c41db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178137&Signature=imt2fLszIf-Ci2CDrlTu-nVbNJotp5joR~W4A143ehhv~jb1rp9J6wGXiOnpf7VSSWzFGruqGrxFIeFud2iN5Y8RhhHmMztu3bsBdPI572Nce7olix13x8uD2mzJ8Lp8nIftBUQHdORnKCdEXC4aquCBk0IoVQqTknI2MG9C3ZmMmx3WA3OSxZJYAKwNoE~VwHF0tNQOVCItbrlk-Degfs~EQCfoHtBVJ3H7CwTaAOijVEgsUo9bzzaNohDZt4p5spzNTRCpYrqvvhVTPiRUtR8ntCvzlzjmCA~k1CfUeGbs6lIBj1icGY6A-zQAqXdl8meAqa~A6edTIdyiOdz3Cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bradenton City Council voted unanimously on March 26 to approve Resolution 25‑37 and enter a cost‑plus operations and maintenance agreement with Woodard & Curran to run the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

City staff said the move responds to a multi‑year pattern of operational and infrastructure problems at the plant that were highlighted by storm damage last year. \"Our plant has faced recurring exceedances and capacity stressors; this contract lets us bring specialized operational technology and expertise to bear,\" said Mr. Perry, a city staff member who presented the item to the council.

Why it matters: the plant is federally regulated and has experienced performance lapses and storm‑related damage that led to discharges and enforcement attention. The agreement is limited to operations and maintenance \"inside the fence\" at the treatment facility and does not transfer the city’s obligation for major capital improvements, according to staff. The plant’s authorized staffing is about 16 full‑time positions; staff reported 11 employees currently assigned there.

Woodard & Curran representatives outlined how the firm pairs day‑to‑day operations with asset‑management software, automated monitoring and a fiscal team that helps pursue state and federal funding for capital work. \"We build partnerships geared to protect local assets and modernize operations,\" said Allison Watson, chief executive officer of Woodard & Curran. Company speakers emphasized employee transition plans and training for existing plant staff.

City legal staff reviewed state requirements for privatization contracts (Florida Statute 180.031). City counsel and the city’s litigation attorney for the Waterkeepers case said the environmental plaintiffs have expressed support for a third‑party operator as a path toward improved compliance. \"Waterkeepers has requested the city consider an independent operator,\" said Travis Hearn, an attorney who spoke about the litigation context.

Public comment at the hearing included a resident who reported recent weekly water testing that showed elevated bacterial readings in parts of the Braden and Manatee rivers after storms. \"We want the city to stop discharges and protect the waterways,\" said Barbara Person Tresini, a Bradenton resident.

What the contract means in practice: city staff said the agreement is a cost‑plus model with a fixed management fee and invoiced pass‑through costs; the city keeps responsibility for capital projects that exceed routine maintenance. Staff also said the contract will give the city monthly operational reports and access to the firm’s technology and grant‑funding support, while the firm commits to offer employment opportunities and training to current employees.

The council approved the resolution by a 5‑0 roll call after a public hearing. The agreement will take effect once final signatures and any required administrative steps are completed; the city has not specified an exact start date.","The City of Bradenton voted 5-0 to sign a cost‑plus operations and maintenance agreement with Woodard & Curran for the city wastewater treatment plant, shifting day‑to‑day plant operations to the firm while the city retains responsibility for major capital projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public comment spotlights horse pollution, nighttime noise and allegations of official misconduct

Council approves police station change order after debate over design, costs and AECOM charges

Bradenton adopts backyard‑chicken rules: four hens, no roosters, 25‑foot setback and solid fence required

Bradenton council approves contract with Woodard & Curran to operate wastewater plant