Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 04-10-1990 Regular — reading text

4- 10/ 11- 90 COMET ST. FENCE ( CONT . ) James Robbins, 30 Comet Street, said he objected to the decision made this evening as it pertains to the kind of fence in his neighborhood. He felt a wire fence would attract the attention of saneone with pliers and would not last; the current fence has been clipped in several sections and has not been durable. He said the homea.rners on Canet petitioned Council for security; he agreed on the difference in quality in I the two neighborhoods. He objected ' to anyone telling him what is good for the neighborhood in which he lives without them living there. He was of the understanding, since the Crime Eye program has been in effect, it is now planned not to have the fence and no one has come back to the citizens in the area to see if the request was still valid; the residents of Robinwood and Comet Street met and mutually agreed a fence would deter traffic to and from the Housing complex. He said he opposes any action taken that would not afford adequate consideration and security to the citizens of the area. When asked if he was aware of the bids received for a masonry fence, Mr. Robbins felt the security of the citizens over the years would far outweigh the cost. Additionally, Mr. Robbins was told that the citizens of the area were not told a fence would not be erected, but since the cost of a masonry fence was so high, other types of fences would be looked into. Mr. deVaux asked if Mr. Maney would accept an amendment to the motion to include looking at other means, other than a fence, as a half million dollars could hire a patrol officer to sit out there 24 hours a day for several years. Mr. Maney did not accept the amendment and stated the issue of additional policemen or lighting should be handled at a different time. Mrs. Delores RObbins, 30 Comet Street, stated Council never said they would not get a fence, but the citizens have been before Council for alnx> st a year and the recommendations she is hearing tonight are the recommendations she heard when the issue was first started. She wanted to kna.r if it was possible to reject the bids and start over. She felt upkeep the of a wire or wooden fence would equal the bids. She said the Police have been fantastic with both their I response and with the Crime Eye, but the citizens should not have to depend upon them all the time; all they want is security and privacy. Mr. Jim Kitchens, 195 Brooks Street, wanted to know if the fence would be constructed on Housing Authority or City property and was told it would probably be on Federal property. Mr. Kitchens wanted to kna.r why the City had to do it and was told it was a City responsibility. 228 4- 10/ 11- 90 COMET ST. FENCE ( CONT.) The Mayor called for the vote on the motion to have the City Manager obtain bids to put up the same quality fence and shrubbery as exists at the Butler Terrace area; and to address the issue of what size or type construction is necessary, and it carried by a vote of 6 to 1, with Smith, Rosenbaum, deVaux, Man~, Merriwether, and Wyninegar in favor and Wyatt opposed. SUNDAY IN THE PARK The Mayor wished to thank Mr. Wyatt and his Committee, and City staff for a job well done, and City Council for supporting the Sunday in the Park last Sunday, April 8th. He said approximately 3000 children were present for the easter egg hunt, favorable comments were received and everyone locks forward to the next Sunday in the Park scheduled for July. INDUSTRIAL PARK BID The Mayor stated he wished to bring up the Industrial Park bid this evening as a result of a memo received from the City Manager. The City Manager said he did not feel the motion awarding the bid to William Stone met the advertised bid specifications, particularly with reference to purchasing the second parcel of property on Ready Avenue. It is his recommendation that the deed not be signed and Council revisit the issue. Mr. Rosenbaum moved to amend a previously adopted motion to where it would read the bid be awarded to Mr. Stone pursuant to the request for proposal that is published. Motion was seconded by Mr. Maney. The City Manager explained the bid specifications required both parcels of property be purchased and a building be erec ted on Ready Avenue within one year for the people leasing on Lovejoy Road. The requirement was to buy two parcels but the motion contained the verbiage to buy the parcel on Lovej oy Road and the parcel on Ready Avenue, if needed. Also, part of the bid specs were that a building was to be built on the second parcel and there was conversation last week about putting the building elsewhere but on Ready Avenue. Detailed discussion ensued on past practices and policies regarding bids and awards. The Mayor asked Mr. Rosenbaum to repeat his motion. Mr. Rosenbaum repeated his motion to amend the previously adopted motion and the