Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 11-28-06 regular minutes — reading text

occasions to discuss the possibility of locating the Judicial Center Annex Expansion on a portion of the 1958 Lewis Turner ( Fairgrounds) property. Through the various discussions and in concert with County' s architect, four scenarios for locations were discussed. She reported there was a consensus among the City and County staffs that Schematic D- 3 was the scenario which depicts a three- preferred story building in the southwest corner of the property, with parking, and includes an area for a 35, 000 square foot expansion to build out 2026. through the year The City Manager mentioned that the County expressed a desire for front-footage visibility for the Judicial Center, and that the County Administrator believes there is a consensus to put the Center on the property if the City and County can arrive at a mutual price. The City advised the County would prefer to Manager purchase 16 acres, but discussions have included the County purchasing six acres for the footprint of the building, and to lease the and they would build and maintain the storm remaining acres, water and parking needed for the property. The City Manager requested concurrence from Council as to their site preference for the possible location of the Judicial Center on the property, and further authorization to continue negotiations with the County on the matter. When asked if the City could sell the property or if it is the same situation as the Fairgrounds, the City Attorney replied her opinion would be the same. Discussion ensued regarding the use of the ball fields located on the property. Jeff Peters, Parks and Recreation Director, the relayed various organizations that use the ballfields during the year. Further discussion included the need for an up- to- date appraisal of the for lease and sale so Council will have a better property both idea of the values. Dr. Pullen wished to know if the City could sell the property without opening it up to the public. The City Manager stated, based on what the Bond Counsel said, the City could sell the The City Attorney stated her previous property. opinion, when talking about the fairgrounds, was that in order to sell any property the Council would have to declare it excess, and in the definition in the Code it says excess means there is no public use, present or future, for the parcel. 128 Regular Council 11/ 28/ 06 JUDICIAL CENTER SITE PREFERENCE ( CONTI The City Attorney said that is why the opinion previously regarding selling to the Fair Association was that Council was not at that point yet because they could not declare it excess; and when asked earlier if her opinion would be the same, that it is. Dr. Pullen asked how the property could be transferred to the County without opening it to the public. The City Attorney replied there are two mechanisms, either it is necessary, or by a lease, by an Interlocal Agreement if depending J" on the parameters of either agreement. I It was questioned if the I property had been considered as an alternate EOC location during negotiations with the County. The City Manager stated it had not been discussed and that the budget. includes funds for a explained feasibility study for improvements to Station 7, and part of that was to have a room that could also double as an alternate location for a secondary EOC. Mr. Patterson commented to declare the property excess to sell it, there is no public use for the property. He noted there are soft ball fields there that are for public use and asked if that would have to be corrected. The City Attorney replied in the affirmative. Chris Gibson, 249 Brooks Street, questioned selling or leasing the property when there is no master plan, and commented if it were to be disposed, then the City will never put in anything for the residents. Dr. Pullen moved to accept Schematic Plan D- 3 as a possible location for the Judicial Center, and authorize the City Manager and other Charter Officers to proceed with preliminary negotiations and bring forward to Council at a later date. Mr. Tucker seconded motion. Mr. Minich expressed his feeling that Council should look at everyone' s use of the property to consider the best use of the property for all concerned, and that the Fair Association should have been included in the negotiations. Mr. Patterson moved to amend the motion to include that in all future negotiations for the Judicial Center on the property that the Fair Association be included as part of the discussions. Mr. Minich seconded motion and it failed by a vote of 3 to 4 with Patterson, Pullen, and Minich in favor and Holmes, Campbell, Tucker, and Hartwell opposed. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion to accept Schematic Plan D- 3 as a possible location for the Judicial Center, and authorize the City Manager and other Charter Officers to proceed with preliminary negotiations and bring forward to Council at a later date and it carried by a vote of 5 to 2 with Holmes, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, and Hartwell in favor and Patterson and Minich opposed. it~~:~~~ t~~~~~~~ f~~:~~ o~~~~~~ r~~~~:~~~. Sansom and Don Gaetz about the issue of homeowners g ~~~~~~~~~ g e: i~~ R~~ ~...:.: v~~~ ~~~~~~ website where comments and input can be Mr. Sansom and Mr. Gaetz. insurance, and stated there is a placed, and it will be discussed in Tallahassee by tJ RECESS The meeting recessed at 8: 57 p. m. RECONVENE The meeting reconvened at 8: 58 p. m.  Regular Council 129 11/ 28/ 06 MAYOR/COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS ( CONT) Mr. Campbell thanked Cam Johnson, Public Information Officer, for his efforts publications and working with the television and regarding radio stations. Dr. Pullen thanked Staff and Council for their illness. Dr. Pullen also support the past few weeks during his recent encouraged his fellow Council members to attend meetings to keep themselves informed. I""" city board/ committee Mr. Hartwell discussed the need for better communication boards/ committees, and between Council and the various suggested that a representative from each board/ city council each quarter. The committee address City Manager advised this can be placed as a The City Attorney added that the boards need a recurring agenda item. boards on the presentation and if template on what Council wants from the Council is looking at to put together a formula so doing that on a regular basis, they need that the boards will all be presenting the same thing to Council. Mayor Anderson received a consensus from Council to include on the December agenda a slide presentation by him as to workshop Northwest Florida priorities of the Florida League of Cities and