Loading...
05/28/1992 MAAS BROTHERS TASK FORCE May 28, 1992 Members present: Ed Mazur, Chairperson John B. Johnson Stephen Saliga Wray Register Bob Bickerstaffe Gregory Jewell Phoebe Moss David Little Joshua Magidson (arrived 3:49 p.m.) Members Absent: Jim Graham, Vice-Chairperson Hal Ebersole Debra Weible Nancy Simmons Jackie Tobin Robert Kennedy Also Present: Cynthia E. Goudeau, City Clerk The meeting was called to order at 3:15 p.m. at the Clearwater Main Library. The Chairman indicated the Task Force is now is the process of finalizing the report to the City Commission. He stated there was a question regarding whether or not they would be reporting to the Commission or the CRA. The City Clerk reported the CRA owns the property and a motion had been made that the Task Force would report to the CRA. Member Jewell moved that in all actions taken wherever the City Commission is referenced that it would be construed to be the same as the CRA or whichever entity owns the property. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. A question was raised by member Johnson regarding whether or not he could change his vote on the motion to close Drew Street as he felt he was the sole dissenting vote. The Clerk checked her records and found that member Saliga was the dissenting vote. No action was necessary. Member Little moved that the historical data regarding the Maas Brothers site, provided by the League of Women Voters, be made a part of the package presented to the CRA. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. The Chairman expressed concerns regarding the motion which passed which called for that the building be torn down and put to public use and/or parkland if negotiations with the Art Center fell through. His concern was the Task Force had voted several times not to have the entire site parkland. Discussion ensued regarding the intent of the motion with it being stated the feeling was that public use could be an auditorium or a convention center. The concern continued to be that the wording of the motion would allow it to be entirely parkland. Member Bickerstaffe moved to reconsider the motion that if negotiations fall through with the Art Center, that the building be torn down and put to public use and/or parkland. The motion was duly seconded. Upon the vote being taken: Members Little, Bickerstaffe, Mazur, Jewell, Saliga and Moss voted "Aye"; Members Register and Johnson voted "Nay". Motion carried. Discussion ensued regarding whether or not it was necessary to change the wording of the motion to make it clear that the property not be used exclusively for parkland. Member Register moved that if negotiations with the Florida Gulf coast Art Center fall through, that the building be torn down and put to public use excluding parkland. The motion was duly seconded. The City Clerk requested a clarification of the motion indicating that as worded, it would not allow any parkland on the entire 3.8 acre site. Further discussion ensued regarding whether it was necessary and how to reword the motion. Mr. Magidson arrived at this time. The current discussion was reviewed with him. He questioned why the motion was being reconsidered and it was stated it was due to a fear that the property would be developed with parkland only and that recommendation had failed several times 12-2. Further discussion ensued and a concern was expressed that this would again be tying the hands of people in negotiations and it would be better to leave the motion in general terms. Member Jewell withdrew his second. Member Register withdrew her motion. It was again suggested the building be kept and used until it was determined that it was not needed. It was again requested that public use be defined. Member Jewell moved that if negotiations with the Art Center fall through, that the building be torn down and the eastern portion be put to a public use in the likes of a public auditorium or other building for the people but not for the use of parkland or open area. The motion was duly seconded. Member Magidson expressed concern that a motion was not being made specifically to approve or reject the motion which had been approved the previous day. Member Jewell withdrew his motion. Member Register withdrew her second. Member Magidson's motion that if negotiations with the Art Center fall through, the building be torn down and put to public use and/or parkland was reconsidered. Upon the vote being taken: Members Magidson, Little, Bickerstaffe, Saliga and Johnson voted "Aye"; Members Mazur, Jewell, Moss and Register voted "Nay". Motion passed. The motion was reconfirmed. The City Clerk's Department was thanked for having a synopsis of the motions ready for today's meeting. The Chairman stated the issue regarding the rest of the bluff would be in the report because there was extensive discussion regarding this issue and it failed due to a tie vote, not to a majority vote. A concern was raised regarding the closing of Drew Street. It was stated this closure would simply have people crossing over to Cleveland Street one block sooner than they do now. A concern was expressed that traffic would be very difficult at times of activities in Coachman Park. The Chairman indicated the purpose of the motion regarding using the southeast corner of Drew Street was that if traffic is redirected, the building can not stay where it is and would have to be moved further from the Cleveland street frontage. A question was raised regarding whether or not the motion only addressed through traffic on that portion of Drew Street from the Ferry Boat Dock to Cleveland Street. It was indicated this had been addressed in one motion but that a further motion had called for the closure and the turning of that property into parkland. Member Jewell moved to reconsider the motion that whatever the recommendation is, it go to referendum. The motion died for a lack of a second. The Chairman indicated the minutes and correspondence would be included with the report as well as the historic information that had been provided by the League of Women Voters. A question was raised regarding whether or not the Chairman wanted other members present at the presentation and it was indicated that all members who wished to attend would be welcome to do so. A concern was raised that the CRA would not submit this issue to the City Commission in a timely manner. The City Clerk indicated the Commission had already addressed that concern in a motion taken when they decided to have the CRA purchase the property. A question was raised regarding a minority report and it was indicated the entire Task Force would have to agree to include the minority report. Once the Task Force was disbanded, members could submit any information they wished as private citizens. Member Johnson thanked the Task Force for the opportunity to serve with them and complimented the Task Force for their efforts. The Task Force thanked the City Clerk for her assistance. The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.