The meeting began with the proclamation of 2026 as the “Year of People with Disabilities,” or “Fix It in 26,” highlighting the 14.6% of Manatee County’s population living with disabilities and the barriers they face. The Mayor emphasized the significance of this initiative, encouraging local businesses to adopt practices welcoming individuals with disabilities. A local advocate, Miss Simmons, shared her vision for 2026, focusing on voting rights and community events to raise awareness about accessibility, particularly regarding sidewalk improvements.

Attention then turned to the city’s water treatment challenges, particularly during high inflow periods. The council discussed the need for a reject reuse pond to manage excess flows effectively. The plant’s current capacity of nine million gallons per day is insufficient during peak inflow periods, which have reached up to thirty million gallons daily. The absence of a reject reuse pond was identified as a gap needing urgent attention, with collaboration and funding from stakeholders being emphasized to address this environmental concern.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the water distribution system project in Ironwood, which drew a large turnout at a recent outreach meeting. The project, estimated to cost $3.2 million, will use open-cut construction over twelve to fifteen months. While there was some concern about the assessments levied on residents, the outreach effort was deemed successful in addressing community concerns. This project is part of a broader effort to improve water systems, supported by $175 million in funding secured through collaboration with lobbyists and government entities.

The council also approved resolutions concerning the relocation and expansion of public works facilities. Resolution 2602 addressed the temporary relocation of public works to a designated industrial site, while Resolution 2603 focused on establishing a permanent public works location at a larger parcel. Both resolutions passed unanimously. The planning commission had recommended approval for both sites.

A proposal to convert a car wash into a Take Five oil change service station was also discussed. The change is expected to reduce traffic and environmental impact, with less wastewater production and a more contained waste management system. The council raised concerns about future uses of the property, emphasizing the need to prevent the expansion of services beyond the current proposal. The resolution, including stipulations for limiting services, passed unanimously.

In legal matters, the council addressed a dispute with Metro Bench over the removal of benches around the city. The court ruled in favor of the city, allowing for a settlement requiring Metro to remove all benches, resolving a longstanding issue related to public amenities and advertising. The council discussed the need for clear communication to avoid misconceptions about the city’s intentions and actions regarding these benches.

The meeting concluded with discussions on traffic studies and urban development, particularly relating to the Prenton-Palmetto connector and plans for a new grocery store in River Isles. The council expressed a commitment to addressing community concerns about traffic flow and infrastructure improvements, seeking state funding to support local projects.