Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 09-08-09 regular minutes — reading text

Superintendent of Schools speaking as a parent and family member, spoke on how the Junior League started the Science Center 20 years ago. She expressed the importance of continuing to provide activities for children and parents to do together. Piper Gaffrey, owner of Fountain Square downtown, spoke in support of the Science Center as a big asset because it draws people to the downtown area, it helps the businesses and also helps the children. Ted Corcoran, Chamber President, voiced support of the Science Center by all of the downtown businesses and suggested the lease be extended for one year to allow Mr. Lafollette to work out the details with staff. Jerry Melvin, President of the Science Center Board, mentioned the fact that the Center sits at the Landing is what makes it so attractive to the tourists and it provides an educational benefit in addition to recreation. As no one further wished to speak, public input was closed. Mr. Reeves moved to suspend Roberts Rules of Order for review of the leases for the Emerald Coast Science Center, Kiwanis Club Boy Scout Hut, Highsteppers, and the Playground Gem and Mineral Society. Mr. Holmes seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. Discussion included overall support of the Science Center and the quality of life it provides, and expressions of concern on tying the hands of Council with a long -term lease, maintenance of the exterior and interior, and how the Center fits in with the overall plan of the CRA and the MPB. Mr. Nabors moved to extend the Emerald Coast Science Center lease for a period of five (5) years with no options for renewal, to change the lease amount to $ 1. 00 per year and move all maintenance of the building to the Emerald Coast Science Center. Mr. Reeves seconded motion. There was some discussion on the fairness of placing the burden of maintenance on the Science Center. Regular Council meeting 9 -8 -09 285 Emerald Coast Science Center coat. Mr. Nabors amended his motion to allow the City Manager to negotiate a lease with the Emerald Coast Science Center then return to City Council. Mr. Reeves seconded motion. Mr. Miller moved to amend the motion to extend the existing lease as is for a period not to exceed one year. Mr. Garvie seconded motion and it carried by a vote of 6 to 1 with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor and Nabors opposed. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion as amended and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. Kiwanis Club Boy Scout Hut The City Manager reported that the lease for the Kiwanis Club Boy Scout Hut, used for Boy Scout activities, located at 55 Ferry Road expired May 30, 2009; it was originally leased on February 10, 1987 for ten years, renewed on June 1, 1999 for ten years; rent is $ 1. 00 per year and lessee performs maintenance, pays utilities, and is self -sustaining; and the leased area contains 984 square feet with no real use as a residential dwelling. He said the estimated fair market value for sale of property is between $ 35, 000 and $ 55, 000 based on Property Appraiser figures, and the Boy Scout Hut is not permitted in the R -2 Multifamily zoning district. George Crews, Secretary of Kiwanis Club, discussed the use of the but by the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Cub Scouts as a place for their meetings and scouting activities. He explained the building maintenance and utilities are paid by the Kiwanis Club and they just support the use of the facility for the children. The Mayor opened the floor for public input. As no one wished to speak public input was closed. Mr. Reeves moved to direct the City Manager to negotiate a lease with the representative body of the Kiwanis Club. Mr. Garvie seconded motion. Mr. Miller moved to amend the motion to extend the lease not to exceed a year. The City Attorney explained the leases are already on a month -to -month if there is no lease in effect and the extension will have to be brought back to Council and then the new lease will have to be brought to Council. The motion to amend failed for lack of a second. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. Hiahstenuers The City Manager reported the five year lease for Highsteppers, a performing arts and entertainment, located at 17 Industrial Street, expired June 1, 2009; it was originally leased to PASARDA then assigned to Highsteppers on October 10, 2006; rent is $ 100 per year to increase to $ 200 per year in the second five year lease term option and $ 300 per year in the third five year lease term option; lessee performs maintenance, pays utilities and is self -sustaining. He said the leased area contains 4,400 square feet and the estimated fair market rental value per the Economic Development Council is $ 5. 00 to $ 6. 00 per square foot or between 22, 200 and $ 26,640 per annum; and the Highsteppers use is permitted in the M -1 zoning district. Jim Petty, Administrative Director for Highsteppers, went over some history and background on the building they owned and in exchange for the City gaining ownership of the building agreed to the $ 100 per year for the first term, $ 200 per year for the second term, and $ 300 per year for the third term then discussed how the organization offers a service to the community, plus the Highsteppers pay all operation and maintenance and insurance costs for the building.  Regular Council meeting 9 -8 -09 286 Highsteppers Mr. Petty discussed how the Highsteppers is a nonprofit 501( c)( 3) service organization that provides a service to the City and the community by promoting performing arts through Broadway style entertainment including dancing and singing as well as providing instruction in dance. He showed a short video of the Highsteppers performing, mentioned they average 40 shows a year that have included performances for the 4t' snowbirds, Mardi Gras, Doolittle Raiders Reunion, Festa Italia, the of July, elementary schools, the Senior Center, and nursing homes. He pointed out they provide support for 25 community service organizations and they allow other organizations to use the building when they are not using it. He requested the lease continue as written for the next five years. Kathy Warner, Artistic Director for Highsteppers, explained the building is important to their organization because it is equipped with a floating wooden dance hall, provides the space to move around and the mirrors needed to learn the routines. The Mayor opened the floor for public input. Bob Rettie, 317 Sudduth Circle, former President of PASARDA, discussed how the dancers paid for and built the facility then leased the land for $ 1. 00 per year. He stated the facility is open to all citizens who wish to participate in dancing, that dancing is good exercise, and the hall offers a place for healthy recreation in a smoke free and alcohol free moral environment. He expressed his belief that it is not fair to the group that built and paid for the building to have to rent it back at fair market value and that the fair thing to do is for the City to honor its agreement by renewing the lease without any increase of $1. 00 per year. As there was no one further who wished to speak, public input was closed. Mr. Garvie moved to continue the option on the current lease for another five (5) years under the same terms. Mr. Nabors seconded motion. The City Manager clarified that the second option year lease payment is $ 200 a year for five years. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. Playground Gem and Mineral Society The City Manager reported the lease for the Playground Gem and Mineral Society, which promotes mineralogy hobbies, located at 17 First Street was last leased on November 1, 1999 and expires October 30, 2009; rent is $ 1. 00 per year; lessee performs maintenance, pays utilities and is self sustaining. - He said the leased area contains 885 square feet and the estimated fair market rental value per the Property Appraiser' s assessment is $ 3. 50 to $ 4. 50 per square foot or between $ 3, 100 and $ 4,000 per annum; and the Playground Gem and Mineral Society use is permitted in the CF zoning district.. There was no representative from the Playground Gem and Mineral Society present. The City Manager further clarified there are three organizations that rent at that location; the Playground Gem and Mineral Society; the Radio Club who did not respond; and the Arts and Design Society who have a lease until 2014. The Mayor opened the floor for public input. As no one wished to speak public input was closed. The City Manager confirmed he wrote Playground Gem a letter asking they submit the information for backup and informed them the matter would be on the agenda. Mr. Miller moved to table until October 13, 2009 the first Council meeting in October. Mr. Patterson seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. Regular Council meeting 9 -8 -09 287 RECESS The meeting recessed at 8: 38 p.m. RECONVENE The meeting reconvened at 8: 45 p.m. PAWS CONTRACT Approve PAWS Contract for one year, fiscal year 2009 -10 in the amount of $87, 787. 00. The Finance Director reported the current contract with PAWS expires September 30, 2009 and according to direction from Council during the budget meetings PAWS reduced their contract amount to $ 87, 787. 00. The City Manager explained the budgeted amount funds the contract. The Mayor opened the floor for public input. As no one wished to speak public input was closed. Mr. Holmes moved to authorize the City Manager to execute a one ( 1) year contract with the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society ( PAWS) for fiscal year 2009 -10 in the amount of $87, 787. 00. Mr. Patterson seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS Approve Mayor to sign Greenhouse Gas Emissions letter. The Mayor stated he was requested to join in an initiative to lower greenhouse gas emissions by signing a letter that will be sent to Senators Nelson and LeMieux. He said he did not want to sign the letter without Council' s approval. The Mayor opened the floor for public input. As no one wished to speak public input was closed. Mr. Miller moved to endorse the letter. Mr. Garvie seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. LEGISLATIVE