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City of Bradenton swears in mayor, two council members; elects vice mayor and CRA leaders
Summary
The City of Bradenton held a swearing-in ceremony and a special council meeting in which Jean Brown was sworn as mayor, Jane Coker and Pamela Coachman were sworn as councilmembers, Josh Kramer was elected vice mayor, a second vice mayor was named and the council appointed CRA chair and vice chair. All leadership votes carried unanimously.
The City of Bradenton on an occasion recorded in the council’s special meeting swore in Jean Brown as mayor and councilmembers Jane Coker (Ward 1) and Pamela Coachman (Ward 5), then held votes to fill leadership roles including vice mayor, second vice mayor and chair and vice chair of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).
The leadership elections followed short ceremonial remarks and presentation of historical material about the city. Councilmembers unanimously elected Josh Kramer as vice mayor, selected Councilwoman Moore as second vice mayor, and appointed Councilwoman Jane Coker as CRA chair with Councilwoman Pamela Coachman as CRA vice chair; each of those votes carried 5-0.
The swearing-in and votes matter to city governance because they determine who will preside at meetings and represent the council on intergovernmental and redevelopment matters. Council members said they plan to emphasize recovery work following recent storms and to maintain constituent communication.
Mayor Jean Brown thanked residents and staff, praised the community’s post-storm recovery and said, “whether you voted for me or not, if you email me, you're gonna get a phone call.” Councilwoman Kocher, who spoke after the oath, said she appreciates the community’s support and added, “I will do my best to live up to their expectations.”
The nominations for vice mayor and the CRA posts were made from the floor during the special meeting. The vice mayor motion to elect Josh Kramer was made and seconded on the record; the roll-call procedure that followed recorded unanimous support across the five wards. The council explained the addition of a second vice mayor earlier in the meeting as a timing and continuity measure: the council noted the position helps ensure leadership coverage when members are out of town during storms or other absences.
The swearing-in portion of the meeting also included ceremonial elements: a prayer from Pastor Don Stereano of Kingdom Life Church, a brief presentation by Officer Jordan Miller of the Bradenton Police Department and distribution of a historical pamphlet about city governance since 1903.
Agenda items at the special meeting were limited to the leadership elections; no policy ordinances or budget items were taken up during the session. The council closed the special meeting after the appointments and benediction.
Votes at a glance
- Vice mayor: Josh Kramer — Vote: carries 5–0; mover/second: not specified in the transcript; outcome: elected vice mayor. - Second vice mayor: Councilwoman Moore — Vote: carries 5–0; mover/second: not specified in the transcript; outcome: elected second vice mayor. - CRA board chair: Councilwoman Jane Coker — Vote: carries 5–0; mover/second: not specified in the transcript; outcome: appointed CRA chair. - CRA board vice chair: Councilwoman Pamela Coachman — Vote: carries 5–0; mover/second: not specified in the transcript; outcome: appointed CRA vice chair.
The council identified continued coordination with partner governments and agencies — including Manatee County, neighboring municipalities and the state Department of Transportation — as part of its forward work on recovery and city priorities.
