Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 08-22-06 regular minutes — reading text

Campbell's motion. Dr. Pullen echoed Mr. Patterson' s comments that if the Fair Association is allowed to receive something from it; otherwise, the remain, the City will City will receive nothing. He advised he was prepared to discuss negotiating a new contract whereby the City could get a better return. Mr. Campbell called for the question. Mr. Tucker seconded motion. Don Dewrell, attorney for the Fair Association, questioned whether there could be Mayor advised a motion has been made and seconded and public input. The was made. public input should occur before any motion Mr. Dewrell questioned why Mr. Campbell was allowed to make a motion when the item was on the agenda for public input. The Mayor replied Mr. Campbell asked to have the floor and that was granted by him. request The Mayor called for the question and it failed by a lack of 2/ 3 majority with Holmes, and Hartwell in favor and Patterson, Pullen, and Campbell, Tucker, Minich opposed. Mr. Minich moved to suspend Roberts Rules of Order for the remainder of this item. Dr. Pullen seconded motion. Mr. Minich questioned whether the motion was debatable. The City Attorney asked for a recess while she studied whether the motion was a proper motion. RECESS The meeting recessed at 8: 15 p. m. RECONVENE The meeting reconvened at 8: 18 p. m. The Mayor advised the City Attorney concluded the motion to suspend Roberts Rules of Order was not proper since there was already a motion on the floor, but he has made the decision to suspend Roberts Rules of Order to give the public an opportunity to speak on the issue. 20 Regular Council 8- 22-06 FAIRGROUNDS (CONTI Don Dewrell, attomey for the Northwest Florida Fair Association, discussed issues that he feels need to be addressed, including whether the City is interested in of the selling a portion to the Fair property Association and if so, would it be sold at the original purchase price or what would the asking price be; if the City was not willing to sell the property to the Fair Association, would it consider extending the lease and if so, for how long; if the City was not willing to extend the lease, would they be willing to purchase the improvements of the Fair Association at their cost; and if the City was unwilling to extend the lease or purchase the improvements, would the City be willing to allow the Fair Association until July 2007 to remove the improvements. Mr. Dewrell stated the Fair Association would like 11 1 guidance from Council on 1 these matters. Mr. Dewrell explained the Fair Association has not submitted an abandonment plan because of commitments it has made with organizations through April of 2007, and stated if the Fair Association is forced to leave the end of December, there will be no one to staff these events except for the City, which would cost money. He also discussed the agreement with the Department of Forestry and Congressman Miller whereby they were assured the City and the Fair Association would partner in the use of the property. He also advised the property had to be sold to a governmental entity and Congressman Miller was assured there would be a good working relationship between the City and the Fair Association. Mr. Dewrell stated he did not feel the license agreement was fairly negotiated; that it was unilateral and stated that it was written so that the Fair Association would agree to it or vacate by December 31, 2005; and that the termination clause was added after the had been negotiations completed. Mr. Dewrell discussed the charges made by two members of Council regarding the cost placed upon the World Changers organization during their stay at the fairgrounds, and presented a letter from Mr. Bailey from World Changers, complimenting Mr. Rigdon and stating they were treated fairly and had an enjoyable stay with no problems. Mr. Dewrell asked that these concems be addressed straightforward and honorably by Council. Mr. Hartwell questioned Mr. Dewrell regarding the abandonment plan; the legislation passed that stated the property had to be sold to a municipality; that if the property were sold to a 501 C entity the City could not collect ad valorem taxes; and that several of the buildings on the property are not in compliance with the fire code and whether plans are made being to bring them up to code. The Mayor opened the floor for public input. Jerry Miller, 91 Bay Winds Drive, Destin, stated the former Mayor and Council were aware that the Congressional Act allowing the City to purchase the fairgrounds was dependent on the fact the Fair Association would remain, and that Congressman Miller would not sponsor the Bill otherwise. Mr. Miller also advised there is not an altemative site in south Okaloosa County for a fairgrounds and fair activities, and doing away with the fairgrounds would be a disservice to the community. Mr. Miller urged Council to abandon their present course of action, stating it is a bad community decision, and called for leadership from Council for the City. Mr. Hartwell noted that 85% of the calls and e- mails he has received non- City residents. regarding the fairgrounds were from Roger Karp, County resident, stated his thoughts that the property is being used very well what it is, a fairgrounds, and that if a financially for J judicial center were placed on the property, there would probably be no ad valorem taxes from it.  21 Regular Council 8- 22- 06 FAIRGROUNDS ( CONTI Wayne Mario, Navarre, a professional audio and several times and it is the best venue in lighting' person, stated he has worked at the fairgrounds the area. He cited the new being too expensive for many organizations to hold their events, Convention Center on the island as and that there is no other enough to house some of the activities that take place large place at the fairgrounds. Mr. Mario felt that to lose the fairgrounds would be a great loss to the community, as well as an economic loss for the City. I"'- Mrs. Brown, Shalimar, Chairperson of the Flower Show, advised their organization works with and senior citizens in the area, and the youth that the personal satisfaction in is greater than the helping the youth and older citizens monetary benefits, and asked Council to consider that. Buck Smith, 329 North Beal Street, stressed the fact that the children and teenagers, and Fairgrounds has a lot of programs for they are the ones that \MJuld miss out if the Fair Association ceased. Chris Gibson, 249 Brooks Street, discussed leases the City has with other getting fair market value from them. She also stated the Fair has properties are and whether they been there for years and has always been good to the organizations that use it, and that for the past 25 or so they have had no problems with their lease years. Mr. Hartwell asked Ms. Gibson if she was aware the lease with the