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HomeMy WebLinkAbout_2001 04 25 City Commission Special Minutes CITy.oF WINTER SPRINGS MINUTES CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING APRIL 25,2001 I. CALL TO ORDER The Special Meeting of April 25, 2001 of the City Commission was called to order by Mayor Paul P. Partyka at 8:06 a.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Municipal Building (City Hall, 1126 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708). ROLL CALL: Mayor Paul P. Partyka, present Deputy Mayor David W. McLeod, present Commissioner Robert S. Miller, present Commissioner Michael S. Blake, present Commissioner Edward Martinez, Jr., present Commissioner Cindy Gennell, arrived at 8:09 a.m. City Manager Ronald W. McLemore, present City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese, arrived at 8:08 a.m. II. AGENDA A. City Manager Discussion With Commission on Parks And Land Issues. Mr. Ronald W. McLemore, City Manager began this discussion by saying "Just as a reminder, we are by agreement, not to expose the appraised values to the public." Attorney Anthony A. Garganese arrived at 8:08 a.m. Commissioner Cindy Gennell arrived at 8:09 a.m. Manager McLemore then advised the Commission that we was asking for "Direction relative to whether we want today to pass without making an offer to the owners, or whether we want to authorize me to make an offer to the owners." Discussion. Mr. Chuck Pula, Parks and Recreation Department Director addressed the Commission about the need for soccer and baseball fields; the Grizzlies organization; and that if the property was purchased it would also provide possible office area for his department and numerous different types of special events. Discussion. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS MINUTES CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING - MAY 25, 2001 PAGE 2 OF 5 Commissioner Cindy Gennell asked Mr. Pula, "Do you enVISIOn continuing using contracts, exclusive contracts with different teams?" Mr. Pula stated, "Yes," and elaborated on this subject. Further discussion ensued on debt service and accommodating all children. Commissioner Robert S. Miller asked "How many fields could we get on the Parker property if we allocated that for - soccer fields? Mr. Pula was not sure of the answer. Commissioner Miller then asked, "What would be the number of children in our City right now, that would be playing elsewhere? Commissioner Miller and Mr. Pula agreed that it was about 25 to 30 percent. Commissioner Michael S. Blake asked about possibly using other properties; user fees; and asked Mr. Pula what the operational costs for Central Winds Park were? Mr. Pula estimated this at approximately $200,000.00. Commissioner Blake next inquired about staff, electricity; and utilities. Commissioner Blake then asked "How many dollars do we have outstanding in debt, Mr. Manager, that are in 'Parks and Rec' uses?" Manager McLemore replied, "I couldn't tell you without going back and looking." Commissioner Gennell asked that a map show the property being discussed. Mr. Pula displayed a map for the Commission and pointed out various points in the City. Commissioner Gennell then asked about Wagner's curve, and asked "What is the potential for that? Are we getting that from the State? Have we already got it? And what is going to happen to the property over there, in that little piece, that's caught between the old 434 and the new 434?" Manager McLemore stated that "I'd have to go back and review the Leerdam Agreement again, but I believe that we had asked for the Highway Department to give us those rights-of-ways. I don't know whether that has actually come down, however, I think there was a favorable opinion toward that. We can get Kip [Lockcuft] in here; he can tell you where that is." Tape I/Side B Commissioner Miller spoke for the record about the City not being in "an irresponsible" debt position. Manager McLemore stated, "I also acknowledge what Commissioner Blake said that we are going to have a very difficult budget year this time, and we may not have the opportunities that we've had in the past to cut our millage back, but we'll - get there. We'll do the right thing. But, he's certainly not telling you something that's not true, and you need to know that as you make this decision." Discussion. "I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE MAKE THE OFFER TO PURCHASE THIS PROPERTY AT THE - WELL, THE NUMBER I'D USE IS NOT ON HERE, SO I WILL TAKE - AND TELL YOU YOUR FIRST OFFER SHOULD BE AT - 2.5 MIL, AND I THINK WE NEED TO LEAVE - A WINDOW HERE OF OPPORTUNITY TO ALSO DO SOME DUE DILIGENCE ON THE CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS MINUTES CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING - MAY 25, 2001 PAGE 3 OF 5 PROPERTY, MR. McLEMORE, AND I WOULD PROBABLY THINK IF YOU CAN STRETCH 120 DAYS OUT OF IT, IT'D BE GREAT. YOU'LL PROBABLY GET 90, BUT I WOULD EITHER - I'D FIRST ASK YOU TO TRY FOR THE 120. ALSO, THE THING THAT WE DEFINITELY KNOW HERE, NO MATTER WHETHER WE ARE BUYING A PIECE OR IT'S BEING GIVEN TO US, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT A SURVEY STUDY IS DONE ON THAT PROPERTY FOR CONTAMINANTS BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE HAPPENS, AND THAT IS PART OF THAT DUE DILIGENCE. SO, THAT'S MY MOTION THAT WE GO FORWARD AND MAKE THIS OFFER AND WE WOULD USE, AT THE PRESENT TIME, I THINK WE ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT THE 30 YEAR BOND TO DO IT. INTEREST RATES ARE AT THEIR BEST RIGHT NOW. SECONDLY THOUGH IS DURING YOUR DUE DILIGENCE, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE OTHER FINANCING WAYS lBE BROUGHT BACK TO THIS COMMISSION." MOTION BY DEPUTY MAYOR McLEOD. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GENNELL. DISCUSSION. "I'D LIKE TO - AMEND THE MOTION WHICH WOULD INCLUDE ALL THE PROVISIONS THAT THE COMMISSIONER MADE IN THE MOTION, BUT ADDS TO THAT, THAT THIS COMMISSION WILL GO TO REFERENDUM- AT OUR NEXT PREDETERMINED POINT IN TIME WHICH I BELIEVE IS SEPTEMBER, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT; WITH THE QUESTION TO THE PEOPLE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THEY WOULD WANT TO PAY FOR THIS PARK LAND, INCLUDING IT'S EXPECTED DEVELOPMENTAL AND OPERATING COSTS, AND IF THAT COMES THROUGH IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THEN IT WOULD BE COMPLETED AND WE WOULD MOVE FORWARD TO DEVELOP THE PARK LAND. IF IT'S DEFEATED, THEN WE WOULD LOOK AT THE OTHER OPTIONS THAT WERE DISCUSSED, IN TERMS OF - THE LAND, AND IN OTHER WORDS, WE'D HAVE TO END UP CARRYING THE LAND FOR SIX MONTHS OR A YEAR, AND WE WOULD ALSO, WHEN WE PUT THE QUESTION TO THE PEOPLE. THAT WOULD ENABLE US TO ACT TODAY, THAT WOULD ENABLE US TO DO SOME OF THE DUE DILIGENCE THAT WAS DISCUSSED. THAT WOULD ENABLE US TO MAINTAIN CONTROL, UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT THE PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO DECIDE, BY REFERENDUM WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT TO PAY THOSE ADDITIONAL COSTS TO HAVE THAT PIECE OF PROPERTY; AND AT THAT POINT IN TIME, IF THEY DECIDE NOT TO, THEN HOPEFULLY THE MAYOR IS RIGHT. HOPEFULLY WE CAN RECOVER WHAT WE HAVE INTO IT, MAYBE EVEN MAKE A LITTLE BIT. THE GOVERNMENT I DON'T THINK SHOULD BE IN THE BUSINESS OF LAND INVESTMENTS OR SPECULATING, BUT, BECAUSE OF THE CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS MINUTES CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING- MAY 25, 2001 PAGE4 OF 5 DEVELOPMENTS AROUND THE TOWN CENTER, HOPEFULLY WE WILL FIND OURSELVES IN A POSITION WHERE WE WON'T GET HURT, AND WE CAN PROTECT OURSELVES AND STILL LET THE PEOPLE HAVE THEIR SAY." AMENDMENT BY COMMISSIONER BLAKE. Discussion ensued on dates. Manager McLemore stated, "I would need to check and see if the County finally decided on a date for the Sales Tax." Commissioner Blake added, "Whenever that date is, that there is the next opportunity for - not for a special referendum, but for one that is already scheduled, when there are already poll workers and everything else, that was the intent of my amendment." Discussion ensued on the Amendment. Commissioner Gennell stated, "Point of Order. This hasn't been seconded. You're discussing something that has not yet been seconded." Mayor Partyka explained that everyone has just been clarifying Commissioner Blake's Amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS SECONDED BY DEPUTY MAYOR McLEOD. DISCUSSION. VOTE: (ON AMENDMENT) COMMISSIONER MARTINEZ: NAY DEPUTY MAYOR McLEOD: NAY COMMISSIONER MILLER: NAY COMMISSIONER BLAKE: AYE COMMISSIONER GENNELL: NAY MOTION DID NOT CARRY VOTE: (ON THE MAIN MOTION) COMMISSIONER GENNELL: AYE COMMISSIONER MILLER: AYE COMMISSIONER BLAKE: NAY COMMISSIONER MARTINEZ: AYE DEPUTY MAYOR McLEOD: AYE MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Partyka stated, "City Manager, what do you need next from this Commission?" Manager McLemore stated, "The authority to make the offer. My question is - if we get into a negotiations position, do I have the authority to talk about an option if that's required to secure this deal?" Mayor Partyka then said, "And whatever you say, if you do get that permission, this still has to come back to this Commission to get approved, is that correct?" Manager McLemore stated, "Right." "I SO MOVE." MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GENNELL. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. DISCUSSION. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS MINUTES CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING - MAY 25, 2001 PAGE 5 OF 5 Deputy Mayor McLeod then said, "My understanding of the Motion is basically to allow the City Manager to negotiate this and due diligence and to bring that result back to the Commission for a final decision. Correct?" Mayor Partyka stated, "That's correct." VOTE: DEPUTYMAYORMcLEOD: AYE COMMISSIONER BLAKE: AYE COMMISSIONER MILLER: AYE COMMISSIONER MARTINEZ: AYE COMMISSIONER GENNELL: AYE MOTION CARRIED. III. ADJOURNMENT MOTION AND SECOND TO ADJOURN. DISCUSSION. VOTE: COMMISSIONER BLAKE: AYE COMMISSIONER GENNELL: AYE COMMISSIONER MILLER: AYE COMMISSIONER MARTINEZ: AYE DEPUTYMAYORMcLEOD: AYE MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Partyka adjourned the Special Meeting at 9:29 a.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: ~ NZO-LUACES, CMC NOTE: These mimites~~;~ approved at the May 14,2001 City Commission Meeting.