11-15-2000
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CITY OF EDGEW A TER
CITY HALL SITING COMMITTEE
November 15,2000
7:00 P.M.
City Hall Conference Room
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Balmer called a meeting of the City Hall Siting Committee to order at 7:00 P.M.,
November 15,2000 in the Community Center.
ROLL CALL:
Members present were: Chairman Chris Balmer, Matt Negedly, JoAnne Sikes, Mike Visconti,
and Susan Wadsworth. Mike Tanksley was recorded as excused. Also present were Kenneth
Hooper, City Manager and Sondra M. Pengov, Recording Secretary.
COMMITTEE COMMENTS:
Chairman Balmer introduced the Board members to the audience before beginning Staff
comments and reports. He then asked the Mayor for comments.
Mayor Schmidt thanked the committee for undertaking this task. He said when he brought this
subject to the Council he felt it was a good time to get their reactions. Mayor Schmidt discussed
the scarcity and expense of land and said he thought it was time to investigate other areas. He
also warned that it will probably take several years before moving to another location and also
said it may be decided by the community to remain in the present location.
Chairman Balmer noted that Lynne Plaskett had been listed on the agenda, but was unable to
attend. City Manager, Kenneth Hooper was present to stand-in for Ms. Plaskett. Mr. Hooper
explained the Committee was expected to locate a potential site for a City Hall. The Council
asked if the City Hall were to be relocated, where would it go and secondly if it were relocated
what would go on the present site. He then showed on a map the three potential areas identified
by the Committee. They were; the area along S.R. 442 near Coronado Ranch, U.S. #1 corridor
and S.R. 442 west to 1-95. The City Manager told the public the Committee would like to hear
suggestions and comments from the citizens.
Chairman Balmer then opened the meeting to the public and asked for site location suggestions.
Mr. George Butler, 1815 Evergreen Drive: Mentioned the availability of 35 acres to the north of
Carter's Motel as a location to be considered and left records of the area with the Committee
members.
Mr. Richard Jones, 1530 Sabal Palm Drive, Mr. Scott Clark, Umbrella Tree Drive and Mr.
Derrick Payne, N. Riverside Drive: all agreed that the present City Hall location should be
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retained. They also agreed that the Police Department could be moved to another location so as
to provide additional space for City Hall. It was also believed that revamping the existing parcel
would be less expensive.
There being no additional comments Chairman Balmer closed the comments to the public and
asked the Committee for their remarks.
Committee members felt the City Hall property was much too valuable to lose. Ms. Sikes as
well as other Committee members suggested relocating the Police Department to create
additional area for a new City Hall. Also mentioned by Mr. Heeb was the fact that Riverside
Drive is eight to ten percent of the City's tax roll. He also said he doesn't want to see a change
to the character of the area. Riverside Drive is unequaled in the City. Mr. Heeb continued,
saying retaining the present location might not be what the citizens want. Over the years there
has been considerable talk regarding growth. He said with growth, relocating to a central
location may be necessary. Mr. Heeb suggested building a City Hall complex. He then
described the problems that will develop as the City grows. Ms. Wadsworth and Chairman
Balmer agreed with Mr. Heeb that a central location on a major artery would be best for the
community.
Considerable discussion was had between the Committee members and the public regarding
financing of the project, enough acreage to provide green areas, a complex to include City Hall, a
Library, Fire Department, Police Department, etc. Chairman Balmer said he would like to see a
decision made soon so they can lock in the cost for the future.
In conclusion the consensus of the Committee and the public was to relocate City Hall (at one of
the previously mentioned sites) and retain the current City Hall site. It was strongly
recommended to use the current property as a recreational park in combination with Kennedy
Park on the east side of Riverside Drive. The Committee especially does not want a parking lot
or condominiums on the site.
The public was thanked for attending the meeting and Mr. Payne thanked the Committee for
their work. There being no additional business to come before the Committee a motion was
made and approved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M.
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Sondra M. Pengov
Recording Secretary
:smp
site.comm..minutesll-15-00