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11-16-2000 \" "-" ..." . CITY OF EDGEWATER CITY HALL SITING COMMITTEE November 16,2000 8:00 A.M. City Hall Conference Room CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Balmer called the Regular Meeting of the City Hall Siting Committee to order at 8:03 A.M., November 16, 2000 in the City Hall Conference Room. ROLL CALL: Members present were: Chairman Chris Balmer, Susan Wadsworth, Ferd Heeb, Mike Visconti, Mike Tanksley and JoAnne Sikes. Matt Negedly was recorded as excused. Also present were Kenneth Hooper, City Manager and Sondra M. Pengov, Recording Secretary. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chairman Balmer asked for a motion to approve the minutes of October 18, 2000. Ms. Sikes moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Mr. Heeb seconded the motion. Mr. Visconti said he had missed the previous meeting and wanted to state his feelings. Mr. Visconti commented that he felt the Committee had gotten out of sight of what was expected of them. He said the committee was to locate a future site for the new City Hall. He said in regard to the existing City Hall property, its value and the selling of the property would go toward funding the new City Hall. Mr. Visconti described the changes he has seen along U.S. #1. He said he pictures the new City Hall somewhere along U.S. #1. Mr. Visconti said he thought the committee was to agree on a site and the cost, and what to do about the site is up to the Mayor, City Council and the City Manager. Mr. Visconti said, let's look forward to the future, the City is growing and growth means changes. The motion CARRIED 6-0. COMMITTEE COMMENTS: Chairman Balmer said the main purpose for the meeting is to discuss last night's meeting (November 15,2000) with the citizens. Chairman Balmer asked Mr. Hooper ifhe had anything to say before the Committee began. Mr. Hooper stated the Committee is close to completion of the project. There was very good input last night from the citizens. He said he thinks they have done exactly what the Council wanted them to do. The Council is looking for an area not a site. The other matter is, what happens now. Mr. Hooper suggested the committee send a letter to the City Council by the December 4,2000 meeting stating the committee's recommendations. Mr. Heeb asked Mr. Hooper, in this process what is to be done with the current City Hall property? Does the Council want the committee to take the same tack that was done with the City Hall Siting Committee Meeting November 16,2000 " ...... ...., siting? Mr. Heeb suggested as examples what might be done with the existing site. It could be used as, parks/recreation, single family or multi-family use. Mr. Hooper replied the Council is looking for uses. Mr. Heeb said he doesn't want the existing site used as a parking lot and asked how do we say we want it to continue as a municipal recreation area and absolutely not a parking lot? Mr. Hooper replied this could be stated in the letter. Mr. Heeb discussed ways to accomplish the project and the approximate amount of money that may be involved in the construction of a City Hall complex. He stated a plan (public relations campaign) has to be devised to raise the money required. Chairman Balmer asked the committee how they want to present their recommended location (if it is decided to relocate City Hall) to the City Council. Mr. Heeb suggested that of the three circled areas on the map that Circle 1 should include the Turgot property, Silver Ridge and the McCallister property. And Circle 2 should include the "horse farm". It was decided the two circles should be more oval to include the other properties. Ms. Sikes stated the "horse farm" area wasn't compatible with the proposed school going on the same property. Her recommendation was to concentrate on the Circle 1 area. A motion was made by Mr. Heeb to recommend Circle 1 as the first area of choice. Seconded by Ms. Sikes. The motion CARRIED 6-0. Mr. Heeb moved that Circle 3 be changed to Circle 2. After discussion Mr. Heeb withdrew this motion. He then asked Mr. Hooper to explain the comment he made last night when he said the "horse farm" and the school could be compatible. Mr. Hooper said with traffic controls, one- way streets, good planning, etc. a municipal complex and a school could work together. Mr. Heeb made reference to a Pt. Orange school on Herbert St. and the municipal complex. He said when school lets out it reminded him of a Roman candle going off. Kids, cars and buses are going everywhere. He can't visualize this same thing on S.R. 442 ("the horse farm location"). Mr. Visconti said he thinks the "horse farm area is an option because of its size. After discussion Mr. Visconti moved to have Circle 2 as the committee's second choice of location, seconded by Ms. Wadsworth. The motion CARRIED 5-1. It was mutually decided a motion for a third location was unnecessary. Chairman Balmer asked for discussion on usage of the present City Hall property. Ms. Sikes said it was discussed at last night's meeting, if City Hall were moved it should be; located in an area considered the "center of town"; it should be a complex to include everything; being near a main artery in a park type setting was also discussed. She said it was constantly mentioned not to construct a condo at the current City Hall location. It was said the present location should be retained, as it is too valuable to the City to sell it. There is no other land available for a park. Chairman Balmer reiterated the public wanted to keep the present location under City control. City Hall Siting Committee Meeting November 16, 2000 2 '-' ...." Mr. Heeb stated he thinks we have to consider what the citizens will say regarding selling the present site because of its value. Mr. Heeb asked the committee to consider what they want to see put on this property if this should happen? He thinks the City Council and the citizens are not going to embrace the idea of the high cost of moving City Hall. Looking at it from this standpoint, Mr. Heeb recommends, if the property is sold and the City can control it, build something that is quality residential. He again stated he doesn't want it to be a parking lot. Chairman Balmer said if we are serious about moving City Hall that is going to come at a cost. The Chairman said, I don't want my taxes to go up and I know most of the folks that I've spoken with in the City don't want theirs to go up. You can't make this a great park and go out and raise taxes and build a new City Hall. His opinion is, it won't work in this City. Mr. Heeb suggested approaching this from the point of view that if the City elects to keep the present site we should express what we want done with it. If the City elects to sell it we need to give them the direction we think they should follow. Chairman Balmer expressed a similar approach. Discussion ensued as to whether ECHO would be of help with the project. Chairman Balmer said the letter could strongly recommend to Council the desire for a park and exploring of monies from ECHO. He also suggested sending ideas to the Parks & Recreation Board, have the grant writer look into this and Parks & Recreation Board look into parking, etc. Mr. Tanksley (member of the Parks & Recreation Board, presently called Recreation and Cultural Services Board) stated it is that Boards' desire for total relocation, keeping the present site a water front park. Ms. Sikes made a motion for the number one choice for the existing property. If it is financially feasible that this area remain a park, have the Parks & Recreation Board included to help make the best use of the property. If the property is kept as a park the City should inquire into ECHO for financial assistance. Finally, this property is not to be used as a parking lot. Seconded by Mr. Heeb. Motion CARRIED 6-0. Mr. Heeb then moved that their number two choice would be to maximize the use, to have it remain residential if the property is sold and put a cap on the height not to exceed five stories high with under building parking and absolute control over the development of the property. Seconded by Mr. Visconti. Motion CARRIED 5-1. Discussion was had on how to "sell" this idea to the community. Mr. Heeb suggested that this committee be asked to come back and sell this idea to the Community. He felt it would be an easier sell if there is a committee of citizens rather than the City Manager or the City Council. Chairman Balmer said this committee would remain available to the Council. Ms. Kris Pluscec of Riverside Drive: Ms. Pluscec suggested keeping the existing site residential, as Riverside Drive is residential. She also mentioned Riverside Drive is a large part of the tax base. City Hall Siting Committee Meeting November 16,2000 3 ,..,. ..., Chairman Balmer asked that staff draft a letter to the Council then let the committee review it before presenting it to Council. Mr. Hooper suggested that Chairman Balmer present the letter to Council. Ms. Sikes recommended if a complex were decided on, the other City owned properties (Fire Department and Police Department) would be sold for added revenue. It was decided it would not be necessary for the Siting Committee to meet again. ADJOURNMENT There being no additional business to come before the Board a motion was made and approved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9: 1 0 A.M. Minutes respectfully submitted by: Sondra M. Pengov Recording Secretary :smp site.comm..minutes 11-16-00 City Hall Siting Committee Meeting November 16,2000 4