Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 10-09-06 special minutes — reading text

s needs, Councilman Tucker stated the southwest corner. Councilman Pullen stated the southwest comer, but thought they could go with anything as long as the citizens do not end up with the short end of the I" stick. Commissioner Campbell questioned whether there was enough in the southwest corner for 15 acres if there is no shared parking. The City Manager stated it is not known at this point, but if there is a general consensus ofwhere the Council and Commission are interested, then staffs can work out the particulars and bring it back to each body individually or collectively. 70 Special Council 10- 9- 06 COURTHOUSE ANNEX cont. Councilman Hartwell stated he had no problem with the southwest comer but it is only 7 acres and noted that would not be enough. He also did not have a problem with moving the ball fields north to give the County the entire frontage so that the lower portion of scheme A2 and all of A3 should give the County enough acreage for the facility, retention ponds, and parking. Councilman Minich believed the southeast comer is the best solution; visually it separates the two with a parking lot from the fairgrounds, would provide staff parking off to the side of the facility, and it would be the best for emergency management situations. Councilman Holmes expressed he was not so concerned they did not need to be site specific right now, and commented the County has not actually said what they need. Councilman Patterson recalled the City initially bought the small acreage for the citizens and as a buffer for Eglin and stated now the City is going in a total different direction on what he thought was the initial plan for the purchase. He said the County has far more options for land purchase than the City has land to grow or develop for the City. He did not see any way to do it without cutting into the ball fields, cutting in the fairgrounds, and taking a piece of property that is for the benefit of the citizens of the City. He said there is no more property available and once the property is gone, it is gone and there will be no more open air events. He stated he could not go along with the whole thing. Councilman Campbell agreed it is a little early to pick a place but did favor the southwest comer. He thought the City Manager and County Administrator could meet to work it out. He believed they should be agreeable as a group to work together to make it work. The Mayor noted there are six in favor of pursuing it with the County to place the Courthouse Annex on city owned property at 1950 Lewis Turner. Commissioner Amunds wished to know if the survey shows where the fairground building is located and how far it sets back. The City Manager stated the City does have that information. Glenda Glover, 115 Waynel Circle, former Mayor, recalled it was discussed at the time that the property was to be a buffer zone for Eglin, and reminded Council it was worked out with the fairgrounds, and there was nothing about selling the property. She expressed it should stay open and it should be known it is a buffer for Eglin A.F. B. She expressed disappointment in Council. Jerry Melvin, 840 Santa Rosa Court, mentioned the Florida Statutes provides for Interlocal Agreements. He expressed preference for an Interlocal Agreement rather than the parties exchanging money and deeds. He would like to see the fairgrounds stay and everyone have use of joint parking. He mentioned that the fairgrounds have done a great job in providing a service not only times of a disaster but also for recreation for the citizens. Allan Steams, 2 Ipswich Circle, commented the ball fields are underused, that there are other soft ball fields that are not used, and did not think three ball fields are needed at that site. He commented I it looks like there is plenty ofproperty for the fair, the County, and the City. He recommended they consider both sides and make the new Courthouse Annex at the site on Lewis Turner Boulevard as it meets all the public needs and would be accessible to those who use it.  Special Council 10- 9- 06 71 COURTHOUSE ANNEX cont. Kabe Woods, 29 Country Club Road, Destin, commented the southwest comer makes sense. He commented the Shalimar Annex is a usable asset and asked that it not be wasted. He expressed his support of preserving the fairgrounds, preserving the ball fields, and the joint use parking. Commissioner Roberts commented there are plans for the Shalimar Annex to be renovated for all the If1"'" Constitutional Officer to move in. Dr. Pullen moved that the City and County staff get together with the idea that the City is interested in locating the Courthouse Annex at the Lewis Turner Boulevard site. Mr. Campbell seconded motion. Councilman Hartwell wondered if the Commissioners need to know how much the property would cost. Commissioner Campbell noted it is an issue as they have to be good stewards of the County' s money as well. Mr. Curry commented they are partners, it is something important to the community of Fort Walton Beach and it is something they can work together on as a team. Commissioner Roberts commented there are a lot of different alternatives that can be worked out and over the years the price of the annex has gone up and they are ready to move on a site, do the planning to get construction started. Councilman Holmes commented there are a lot of options and it needs to start somewhere. He felt that the City Manager and County Manager can negotiate to bring something back. Councilman Pullen requested that architect use the site to the best advantage for everyone. Councilman Minich thought it would still provide a buffer for Eglin A.F.B. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried by a vote of 6 to 1 with Holmes, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor and Patterson opposed. Mr. Curry commented it sounds like a critical part in the planning is how the facility will be configured on the property and he thought he and the City Manager could work in concert with the architect to look at different options on how it could fit. He mentioned he heard that parking is an issue, and to try to retain at least two of the ball fields, and they could work together to bring a couple of options on how it could go forward and be laid out. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 6: 55 p. m. APPROVED:~ Jecro EST: MAYOR: ',( t:; m. CITY CLER ddm