Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 01-24-06 regular — reading text

UPTOWN STATION Consideration of a request for approval to fund a park, entitled " Central Park" to be located at Uptown Station, budgeting CRA funds beginning in years 2006- 07 through 2010- 2011 in the amount of $ 147, 103 per year for five years, for a total amount of $735, 515, representing 70% of the total project construction costs. If approved, the applicant will enter into a development agreement with the City to assure that unrestricted, perpetual public access is guaranteed as well as setting forth the on- going maintenance requirements as outlined in the backup report. Missy McKim, CDS Director, explained the request was from Jay Odom for development of a park titled Central Park at Uptown Station, and he is requesting CRA funds for development of the project. J 70 01/10/ 06 CENTRAL PARK"- UPTOWN STATION ( CONTI Jay adorn, owner of Uptown Station, gave a presentation describing his proposed project which includes a playground with equipment for all ages, an interactive water fountain, entry pavilion and train stop for the Uptown Station Mini Express, extensive landscaping, a Great Lawn that will host events and outdoor movies, and water and electric connections, among others. Mr. Odom explained he is proposing to fund 100% of the park design costs and 30% of the construction costs, and is requesting a grant from the CRA for the remaining 70% of the construction costs. Mr. adorn assured he would provide permanent maintenance and operation for the park at no cost to the City, and that unrestricted, perpetual public access will be guaranteed to the park. Upon questioning from Council, Mr. adorn advised that a legal mechanism would be worked out with the City for the land in the form of a 99- year lease or easement, and that a reverter clause could be added if the property ever became not open to the public that the money would be due and payable to the City. Mr. adorn stressed the permanent goal is for the enjoyment of the public and the City. Glenda Glover, 117 Waynel Circle, advised this would be another park in the City and expressed concern as to who would maintain the park if the shopping center is ever sold and lacks the quality management it has now. Mr. Tucker moved to approve the construction of Central Park at Uptown Station as part of the Capital Improvements Program for Fiscal Years 2006/2007 through 2010/2011 in five equal payments of up to $ 147, 103 per year for a total maximum amount of $735,515. 00, based on the final cost of construction, subject to the condition stated below: 1) The applicant will be required to enter into a development agreement with the City that will assure that unrestricted, perpetual public access is guaranteed to the park, describe the roles of the applicant and the City in the construction of the park, and details the responsibility of the applicant for the ongoing maintenance of the park, as well a s a ny 0 ther elements t hat a re deemed necessary by t he C ity a nd/ or the applicant. Mr. Patterson seconded motion. Council discussion included spending CRA funds on the blighted areas of the CRA or to fund the underground utilities project on Eglin Parkway, rather than for the personal gain of a developer. Further discussion included the concern of maintenance if the property were sold in the future, and that this is a great opportunity to partner with a developer to develop an area of the City for all to enjoy. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried by a vote of 4 to 2 with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, and Tucker in favor and Pullen and Minich opposed (Hartwell absent). The City Manager advised the agreement will be brought before Council once it is developed. SITE PLAN REVISION- INDIANOLA CONDOMINIUM. 113 BROOKS STREET Consideration of a request to revise the approved site plan for Indianola Condominium, located at 113 Brooks Street SE, by the owner, NWEC, LLC which includes the following revisions: 1 ) relocation of boardwalk water-ward due to DEP requirements; 2) Shift the angle of pool in order to allow for construction of a bathhouse adjacent to the pool due to City Building requirements; and 3) remove several protected trees that were damaged during recent hurricanes and replace with a very large tree, as outlined in the backup report.  71 01/10/ 06 INDIANOLA CONDOS ( CONTI Ms. Fowler explained revisions to the site plan were requested after the original site plan was approved in January 2005. These revisions include a change in location of the pool due to DEP' s requirements for the sea wall; adding a bath house in close proximity to the pool, due to requirements of the City' s building official, and removing of protected trees located at the front entrance due to construction issues and severe pruning by Gulf Power after Hurricane Ivan and replacing them with the largest tree available for planting. Regarding the well, Ms. Fowler advised a condition of the site plan revision will be that the well must be reinforced, buried, preserved, and/ or maintained existing based on recommendations of an archaeologist. Norm Scott, one of the developers of the project, advised that several options are available depending on the placement of the seawall and what is recommended by the archaeologist, including burying the well thus protecting it, or building it up with brick where it could be seen. Mr. Scott stated his preference would be to build up the well but it would depend on findings of the archaeologist on what could be done. Mr. Scott also advised the symmetry of the trees have been destroyed, and the replacement trees will have symmetry and will grow into beautiful trees. As there were no objections, the Staff Report was entered and accepted into the record. Mr. Campbell moved to approve the site plan revisions for the Indianola Condominium subject to the following conditions: Note: This recommendation is based upon the application and site plan developed by Choctaw Engineering, Inc. and dated Job 9 #6- 295- E, revised 8/ 30/ 04, 11/ 118/ 04, 12/ 8/ 04, 1/ 6/05, 4/27/ 05, July 21, 2004 and 10/ 3/ 05; the planting plan developed by Bradford R. Davis Inc. dated 8/24/04, revised 11/ 19/ 04 and 11/ 17/ 05; and the architectural drawings developed by CDA, dated 5/ 17/ 04 ( Job #04-05- 110. 004) revised 11/ 22/04 and 11/ 17/ 05. 1) Prior to removal of the protected trees, the applicant will provide a notarized affidavit guaranteeing the replacement of these trees with live oak trees at the minimum trunk sizes shown on the landscape plan ( ranging from 6 inches to 10 inches). The trees must be planted prior to granting a certificate of occupancy. 2) Prior to issuance of a building permit for the construction of the boardwalk, the applicant shall reinforce, bury, preserve, and/ or maintain the existing well, based on the recommendation of the archaeologist. Mr. Patterson seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, and Minich in favor (Hartwell absent). REQUEST TO EGLIN AFB- TRANSFER OF PROPERTY Consideration of sending a request to the Elgin Air Force Base - Mission Enhancement Committee formerly Eglin Encroachment Committee), for the transfer of a portion of US Air Force Base Property, adjacent to the City owned fairgrounds property, for the purposes of establishing a permanent hurricane staging which would benefit both the military community and the residents of Okaloosa County. Mr. Patterson asked Council to give the City Manager the authority draw up a letter asking the Air Force if they would relinquish the area where the City could set up a FEMA area of supplies and equipment on this property in the event a major hurricane should hit the area. 72 01/10/ 06 EGLIN REQUEST (CONTI Mr. Tucker moved to direct the City Manager to prepare a letter to the Mission Enhancement Committee at Eglin Air Force Base requesting the transfer of a portion of USAF property adjacent to the City-owned fairground property, for the purpose of development of a FEMA emergency staging area. Mr. Campbell seconded motion. Glenda Glover, 115 Waynell Circle, was advised it is approximately 51 acres, or a portion thereof, of land being considered. Mr. Minich stated he will support this motion but reminded Council that Eglin will be seeking something from the City in return. Holmes, The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried unanimously with Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, and Minich in favor (Hartwell absent). RECESS The meeting recessed at 8: 55 p. m. RECONVENE The meeting reconvened at 9: 00 p. m. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CRA Activities Accept as information an Annual Report of the Community Redevelopment Agency December 31, 2005, as provided in the summarizing their activities for the calendar year ending backup report. of the Community Joyce Gossom, CRA Chairman, presented the 2005 Annual Report held between Redevelopment Agency activities. Ms. Gossom noted that two joint meetings were the CRA and MPB and were felt to be productive in terms of communication on how items are defined, and that the meetings