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Home My WebLink About04262006 Special CfTYl..>F ~.B......;"........!.....:~N .~.. ..._....,..., ~~" ~ HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND SEBASTIAN CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26,2006 - 5:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 1. Mayor McCollum called the workshop to order at 5:00 p.m. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. ROLL CALL City Council Present: Mayor Nathan McCollum Vice-Mayor Brian Burkeen Council Member Andrea Coy Council Member Sal Neglia Council Member AI Paternoster Staff Present: City Manager, AI Minner City Attorney, Rich Stringer City Clerk, Sally Maio Deputy City Clerk, Jeanette Williams MIS Systems AnalysVAV Tech, Melanie Astle 4. WORKSHOP ITEMS A. FY 2006/07 - FY 20011/12 Proposed Capital Improvement Proqram and Capital Outlay Item Equal to or Greater Than $7.500 (Book provided previouslv bv Finance) The City Manager recapped the items, which were included in the CIP budget previously distributed (see agenda packet). City Council CIP Workshop April 26, 2006 Page Two He reviewed alternatives for stormwater management, discussed the proposed Barber Street realignment, Easy Street improvements, and updated Council on the proposed acquisition of the Golf Course from the Airport due to increasing lease costs which will require review and approval of FAA. He reminded Council that this is a plan and will be looked at and updated on a regular basis, and that approval of the plan will be placed on the May 10th agenda. Mary Ann Krueger discussed the straightening of Barber Street, noting that she had not seen a majority of people at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting who approved of this. She said the City does not need the $400,000 for this project, conservation is important, asked Council to consider a walking path on Barber, and that the scrub jay issue is tenuous right now. Jens Tripson, Vero Beach, Pelican Audubon Society, asked Council to reconsider the Barber Street straightening project to protect Scrub Jays, citing the efforts of the Pelican Island Eco Troop to protect land that would be affected by the project. He said there are conservation easements on the properties, which would prohibit use for the road project. Walter Barnes, Sebastian, discussed the City lots at Columbia and Azine Terrace, which was slated to be a park in 2004, said the lots have become a nuisance, and asked if something can be done there as soon as possible. The City Manager said the money is there and has been allocated for a bunch of different park projects, and explained that several issues held them up. He said the Parks and Recreation Committee has begun workshops to revisit the improvement of these parks. Eugene Wolff, Wimbrow Drive, Sebastian, asked the City Manager that if FAA reappraised the land and came back with real market value, would this put in jeopardy the rental agreement between the Golf Course and Airport. The City Manager said it would not affect the current lease, but it is worth looking into to save the City money. He said the issues with FAA are fair market value and whether or not the FAA will have future need for the Golf Course property. He said if any agreement can be reached it will come with a reverter clause, but the City issue will be if it is done at fair market value, how can the FAA bind the City to only use it as a Golf Course. Mr. Wolff asked if there had ever been a traffic study on Barber Street and the City Manager said there had not, but that most of the projects in the CIP are old projects. The City Attorney said Barber Street had been on the MPO list for at least ten years and it was his assumption that they would not have listed this project without a study. 2 City Council CIP Workshop April 26. 2006 Page Three Mr. Wolff further inquired about proposed Easy Street improvements and the need for a community center and use of the current center. Mayor McCollum said the current community center has minimal use based on its small size and does not meet the needs of the citizens of Sebastian. Mr. Wolff suggested finding out how many people are using the current facility and then determine how many and what types of programs will be offered and how it will be funded. He said he was not sure people would walk to a new community center. David Johns, Sebastian, said the Golf Course has been a moneymaker for Sebastian and said it would be a great idea for the City to purchase it, and let the FAA know if it wasn't for the Golf Course, the Airport would be closed. Kevin Miller, Chairman of Parks and Recreation, encouraged moving forward with a community center, and implementation of neighborhood parks, describing the workshops which will be held by the committee. In response to Mr. Neglia, the City Manager said the CIP assumes the Public Works compound will be designed this year and construction will take place next year. He reiterated, however, that these are old projects and he is seeking input from Council. He said the relocation ties in with CRA development; and that it is important to keep the transfer of the Golf Course in the CIP, and the next step is to work with FAA, then come back to Council to determine fair market value, and probably have two to three years to do this. Mayor McCollum said the control tower was never discussed by Council. The City Manager stated it was included for long-term planning and can be eliminated. City Attorney explained the need for the Barber Street realignment and the history of the County purchasing properties along Barber Street and the reason that corner property was purchased by Eco Troop. The City Manager stated the lot might be mitigated with land contiguous to existing conservation lots. He also stated that a request for quote will soon go out to develop a new Habitat Conservation Plan for the City. The City Attorney stated the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is aware of the lot and support mitigation efforts. Ms. Coy discussed the Barber Street realignment; suggest moving the Public Works Compound to the Airport; favored the building of a new community center; and objected to a control tower at Airport. Mr. Paternoster expressed concerns about the Barber Street realignment and asked how traffic counts will be taken at the Airport and how long the Airport has been without a tower. The City Manager explained the safety reasons for control tower and in response to the question of a possible fuel farm, stated the fuel will attract more traffic than the tower. 3 City Council CIP Workshop April 26, 2006 Page Four Mr. Paternoster stated that the City will need to allocate more than $50,000 to install stormwater quarter rounds and he pointed out if the City is going to farm stormwater out to an outside agency why is the City purchasing equipment. The City Manager said the excavator could be used for several other purposes. Mr. Paternoster asked if the community center could be located where the current compound with the underground gas tanks. The City Manager responded there is a study being completed as to the improper close out of the tanks and there might be mediation. Mr. Paternoster then requested odometer readings and age of vehicles that will be replaced. He also asked how much the Public Works lease will be at the Airport. The City Manager responded that it would be around 12 cents per square foot Mr. Paternoster asked about purchasing that property as well because the City could earn equity instead of leasing. The City Manager said the financial policy amendment would then be needed. Mr. Paternoster asked how much a new community center would cost and the City Manager replied approximately $1.5 million. He then asked what would be cost to make the center hurricane proof and also use as a shelter. The City Manager stated that $1.5 is low and $1.5 to 3 million is more likely. Mr. Paternoster asked who is bringing companies to the airport. The City Manager replied that the Airport Director, Jason Milewski. Mr. Paternoster asked that 2008/2009 park efforts be made as soon as possible to the lots by Columbia and Azine. B. Stormwater Update The City Manager said he will provide a memo. 5. Being no further business, the Community Redevelopment Advisory meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m. Approved at the May 1 0, 2 0 0 6 City Council meeting. ~ ./ Brian Burkeen, Vice-Mayor ATTEST: ~., J . / ..' /1 _'({elf; &f \y II Sally A. Ma~MC ! / 4