Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 09-23-1980 Regular — reading text

that the property owners take over the project of overhauling Mooney Road. Mr. Rigdon said, the property owners all voted that the City acquire the bottom lands of the Lake. It was explained to these people,. that when we received title to this property, it would become public land. They would have no control of it. It was discussed that it would be restored-- putting the pipe back in and put it back like it was, kill the weeds and a few other things. Mr. Baughman said, we need a compromise between two groups of people who feel very strongly. I fe1t the compromise our administration suggested was a good one. It seems to me that to come in there with a small pier, whi ch would be used partly by the administration to. maintain the lake, is a very I re as on ab Ie comp romi s e . Dr. Houghton asked that the Mayor also appoint Public Works Director to the committee. He stated that he observed the traffic problems in the area. He recommended a walkway similar to the existing walk- way, coming down to the water' s edge wi th the walk- way, parallel along the dam, with safety rails so the kids can come down and fish. I would recommend that the committee look at this as a possible solution. He also pointed out that the City could 276 9/ 23/ 80 use this walkway to service the lake. Mayor stated that he did not feel there was any need for a walkway all the way down. All that is needed is about 20- 30. along the water' s edge. Maureen Taylor, 652 Fairway, stated that the peti tion is concerned with the safety of the J chi Idren . Mr. Baughman said that the traffic problem on Mooney Road is hazardous. He moved that Police Jd i Chief look at the traffic problem in the area to see what can be done to alleviate it. Mr. Rigdon said he felt it is only fair to give the property owners around the lake an opportuni ty to bring out other things which have not been brought out about the hazards. I would encourage you people to sit down and we can come up with a solution. We want to provide something that the neighborhood will like. Dr. Houghton stated that there is a larger problem than just the lake situation. I would move that we go on record to start immediately trying to institute recreation facilities in that area. Motion was seconded by Mr. Baughman and carried unanimously. Mr. Bob Valvada, 217 Mooney Road, asked when Mooney will be completed. Public Works explained Director that the City is finished with their portion of the project and that the County will be laying base and paving tomorrow. They should start fi lling the lake the end of next week. Mr. Jerry Simmons, 525 Mooney Road, recommended that the speed limit on Mooney Road be reduced to 25 mph. He also stated that he is opposed to the widening of Mooney Road, with the exception of turn lanes. Mayor pointed out that Mooney Road will not be four 1 anes. Mr. Bishop moved that the Police and Safety Depart- ments and Motion come unanimously. take was a look at the problems back to Council with some recommendations. seconded by Mr. Baughman and carried . .. on Mooney Road J A citizen from the Mooney Road area, stated that he would like the minutes to reflect a consensus of the people here tonight, is the safety of children. Mr. Baughman stated that in looking at this one pier as a possibility of drowning, it would be  9/ 23/ 80 277 impossible from a legal point of view to divorce that from the pier at Liza Jackson Park. If we say we can' t have one here for that reason, then we certainly couldn' t have one at Jackson Park for that reason ei there Mr. Dave Kaplan, I Sherwood, stated City that the got title to the lake agreement and under a basic the lake negated their opportuni ty to form 1 owners an association to control the lake. He said he would like to see the property owners have an opportunity to reconsider what is that based on happening. The lake is not being returned to its original condition. He asked if the city would give back ti tIe to the lake, which they got under false pretenses. Ci ty Manager pointed out that the property owners voted against getting the deed to the bottom land, saying they wanted the Ci ty to take it over. There have been no false pretenses. personally told I you ( Mr. Kaplan) and others at the meeting that if the City took title to the property, that it would be public land. Mr. Kaplan stated, there was an agreement that no one would restrict entrance to the lake. What we want to prevent is flood- lighting the lake or making a City recreational area out of the lake. These things were specifically brought out at the meeting, and the City said this would not occur. It sounds like it is occurring. Mr. Rigdon said, the City was at the meeting and we said that if it becomes City property, it is a public lake. I agree with City Manager. We asked for a show of hands if you wanted the lake. No one wanted it. We also said we would do everything in our power to put it back like it was. We cannot put it back to the same configuration before we repaired the dam. We have a different structure. There is a safety hazard for the kids. That is the first thing I want us to work on. I think we can si t down and come up with a solution. The following persons were appointed to the coIDfidttee: I W. D. 655 Maureen 652 Hayes Fairway Taylor Fairway Avenue D. 4 Don 26 B. Phillips Linwood Pattison Linwood Torn Harris Davi d Thomas 202 Mooney Road Mr. Harold Sparks, 625 Country Club, asked if the City really wants this property, or is it a burden? 278 9/ 23/ 80 City Manager replied, I think it is a good idea that the property owners around the lake negotiate to gain title to it. Mr. Rigdon pointed out some of the advantages of the City owning the lake, such as for drainage purposes, etc., but if everybody voted in favor of taking it back, I would be in favor of it. An area resident stated that the property owners keep talking about restoring the lake to its original condition. It was not a very clean lake. It might eventually become a health hazard if they took it over.