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08-11-1983 - Workshop 'f '~,r~ ~~.~ ~-~ ~ o ~ SPENCER - BENNINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETING August 11, 1983 Minutes On August 11, 1983, a special meeting was held between two representatives of the City Council of Edgewater, Jack Spencer and Gigi Benningto~, and members of the Edgewater Volunteer Fire Department, specifically, Bob Wolfe, Jack Bevel, and Jesse Walls, for the purpose of discussing the request for land to construct a building. Councilman Spencer stated that this was an informal meeting and was being taped so that the discussion would be on record should anyone desire to know what occurred at the meeting. Mr. Wolfe began by saying the 99 year lease problem is one of the big problems with it being that long. This is the lease with the County on the ball fields. Councilman Spencer advised the members of the Fire Department that he and Councilwoman Bennington were here to find out what they want, why they want it, what the alternatives are and express their thoughts on the subject. There will be no final decision made, they will have to go back to the Council for final determination. Councilwoman Bennington advised the members that Council did not want to go with the 99 year lease. Councilman Spencer asked that they advise what their objectives are, why they want the building, what they intend to do with it, why they want a 99 year lease, and any other considerations they have in mind. Councilman Spencer also advised the members that the City may not allow this property to be turned over to the Fire Department because of the location in relation to the sewage treatment plant, which will, in the future, need to be expanded. Mr. Wolfe stated they are wanting a multiple use building, an example would be 75' wide x 150' long and 23' high. Basketball, boxing, wrest- ling, dances, etc., can be held in this building. He stated there is nothing in the City now large enough for this purpose, the building they have is inadequate. They want a steel building, which is a shell and they will put in the accoustics and insulation - off to the side will be the kitchens and restrooms. Councilwoman Bennington asked if the kitchen and restrooms would be inside this building. She was advised, no, there would be an additional wing which would make the structure larger than 75 x 150. Mr. Wolfe said that it would cost $200,000 for them to purchase a piece of land for the proposed building and there are no funds for such a purchase. He said the community center is slowly' deteriorating and they want this building where they will maintain it, carry the insurance on it, and they want complete control of the building - by that they mean they will rent it, cater it, etc., for a price. They will take care of complete maintenance on this building. Councilman Spencer questioned them regarding the reference to serving liquor. Mr. Wolfe said that they may not be able to get a liquor license and in that case the individuals would have to bring their own set-ups. Councilman Spencer asked if they were intending to operate a bar if they get a liquor license. He was advised, no. Liquor would only be available, if desired, for a wedding reception or dance, etc. Councilwoman Bennington asked them if they had a plan or drawing of the proposed building that they could see. She was advised that Steve Harddock, who works for Mr. Foust, designed the station on U.S. 1, at no cost to the City and gave them a complete set of plans to build it by, and also designed fire station 2 at no cost to the City with a complete set of plans, including mechanical and electrical. Councilman Spencer questioned the members about the building being used for basketball. Mr. Wolfe advised that they are deeply involved in youth athletics, in that they sponsor teams, have donated to the athletic ~ o ~ association, they anticipate sponsoring a football and baseball teams, Little League, etc. A member of the audience stated that there are no facilities in the City for basketball now, they have to go to New Smyrna or someplace else in the County. If a child plays basketball in New Smyrna, they are required to pay more money to play if they live outside that city. It was also noted that there is no place in Edgewater large enough to hold a banquet or Christmas party for a business with many employees. You have to go to Daytona and pay an enormous price for the facilities. Also it was noted that there are no facilities for the Senior Proms in this area. Mr. Bevel stated that there is a provlslon in their charter that if, for any reason, they were no longer in existence, any money or property that belonged to the Fire Department would have to be disbursed to a non-profit organization. For eMample, they could not sell the building and split the money, it would have to be donated to some organization. Mr. Bevel then discussed how the Fire Department constructed the community center building and how it has since been taken over by the police and EVER and building departments, etc. Councilwoman Bennington stated that she understood why the Fire Depart- ment wanted control over the building, however, she was opposed to the 99 year lease and the property they wanted to build the building on. Mr. Bevel stated that they don't want that area but there is no other land available that they can afford. Councilwoman Bennington stated that maybe land can be purchased from New Smyrna. There is 36.2 acres at the corner of 12th and Mango that is owned by New Smyrna, the north- west corner of 12th and Mango. Councilwoman Bennington asked what the minimum amount of area would be needed for this proposed building. Mr. Wolfe stated 3 acres would be adequate. Mr. Bevel stated that the fire department has another piece of property assigned to them at the corner of Mango Tree and 35th where the trailer could be put, if needed. Councilwoman Bennington asked if it was the concensus of the fire depart- ment members that their complaint is that they have entered into agree- ments with the CitY~1 with nothing in writing, and the City has, basically, reneged on everything. The members of the fire department agreed with that statement. She further stated that whatever is agreed to with this Council, they want it in contract, in writing, so that Councils in the future cannot pull it out from under them. The members said yes, that was their intention. A member of the audience asked Councilwoman Bennington why she was opposed to the 99 year lease, in that it can be broken by either party. She advised that she was first against it because originally it was stated that the City was to maintain the building, not the fire depart- ment, and she felt that was wrong. A discussion then ensued regarding this matter. Councilman Spencer stated that his objection was that there was nothing in the lease where it could be broken, and due to the fact that the City will be growing, there may not be a volunteer fire department in the next 50 years. Mr. Bevel explained that they do now have a State charter where they are incorporated, besides the volunteer fire department, which allows them to hold fund ralslng events to raise money. If they agree to the 99 year lease, it will be titled to the name of the Edgewater Vmlunteer Fire Department, Inc. Councilman Spencer asked if their books are audited. Mr. Bevel said they do have a set of books and have to file a report with the State of Florida every year. They audit their own books. -2- Spencer-Bennington ~eeting August 11, 1983 r. o o Mr. Bevel advised that if Council accepts the 99 year lease, they would put two clauses in it, one would be a reverter clause - if for any reason the Edgewater Volunteer Fire Department ceased to exist, the property would revert back to the City; however, Councilwoman Bennington stated that if the volunteer fire department ceased to exist, the corporation could still exist. Even though there is only one volunteer fire depart- ment, there are two entities involved here. It was Mr. Bevel's opinion that if the volunteer fire department ceased to exist, the corporation would do the same. Councilwoman Bennington stated that if the lease is approved and contracted it would have to be in the name of the corporation. The corporation is not named as such in the City charter at the present time. Mr. Bevel ~tated that they have a building fund started and the majority of the funding will have to come through a loan. Mr. Wolfe advised that they hope to begin construction on this building, if everything is approved, in less than a years time, within a month after all papers are signed, etc., they want to start clearing the land. Mr. Bevel said that after the bids are received and the matter of funding is investigated, it would be more likely 90 days before construction could begin. Councilwoman Bennington stated her opinion would be to go with a 65 - 70 year lease, based on the information contained in the discussion at this meeting concerning the matter. Mr. Bevel asked if a lesser amount of years were decided upon, would they have the option to renew and re-eval- uate at the end of the lease. Councilwoman Bennington advised, yes. Councilman Spencer advised that the area in question creates somewhat of a problem, in that there is concern about the City's sewer treatment plant needing expansion in the future. Mr. Bevel suggested that they call Briley, Wild concerning the expansion of the plant, questioning them as to whether it is more feasible to build at the far end of Florida Shores or expand the present facility. Councilman Spencer advised he has talked to Briley, Wild and to Terry Wadsworth and that is not known at this time. A discussion continued regarding the location of a new plant in the south area of the City. Councilman Spencer stated that he felt that station 1 could not accomm- odate a facility this large with the parking involved, that there are other alternatives that have been mentioned at this meeting. A discussion then began concerning the advantages and disadvantages of expanding the sewer treatment plant or, in the alternative, building a new plant south of the City. The members of the fire department discussed why and how they felt the property in question was the most feasible and best property to be used for their intended purpose. They explained how the plant was situated and how they were using the land at the present time. They went on to show how the sewer plant could expand in a different direction, thereby still allowing sufficient land for construction of this building. Mr. Bevel stated that they would attempt to save as many of the big oaks as they could on the property in question, and situate the building as close back to the county line as possible. However, he stated that it would be up to the members of the fire department where they wanted to construct the building and a vote would have to be taken to determine that matter. Councilman Spencer said he would like to get a copy of their Charter; report this meeting to the City Council at the meeting on August 14th; ask the attorney to come up with an amicable agreement for both parties; have someone from Council check into the possible future expansion of the treatment plant; have someone from Council talk to someone at New Smyrna about the property discussed earlier this evening concerning the possibility of somehow acquiring same. Mr. Bevel stated that they want a 75 x 100 foot building, however, if they find out that it is way out of line and they can in no way afford such a large facility, they will start cutting down, wherever they can, to put the idea in better perspective; however, they do not intend to build some small structure if it is not large enough to pay for itself. They will have a controlling committee to onerate this bu~lding, in ~he ~pencer - Bennlngton Meetlng -3- August 11, 1983 . . . . ~ o Q aspects of operating same in all the various phases involved. It is their intention to investigate all resources available to them for purchasing such a building. They do not intend to purchase something that will not be constructed of durable material, they want something built that they can be proud of and will last a long time. Mr. Wolfe advised that as soon as they have the land, they will have a set of prints drawn up, outlining the building they propose to construct. All of the parties felt that as long as the reverter clause was in the lease, it did not really matter how long the lease was drawn up for. Councilwoman Bennington advised that after Council is advised of this meeting and the attorney receives the information needed to compose the proposed agreement, they will meet with the fire department members again to discuss possible clauses to put in the document. Minutes submitted by: Susan Mista -4- Spencer - Bennington Meeting~ August 11, 1983