The coming week in City government

Below is the breakdown of what the Pensacola City Council will consider in the coming week. As always, expenditures are highlighted. Links to the full agendas are included at the bottom of the page. Included in the full agendas are copies of any contracts, agreements, ordinances, or resolutions.

Note: This meeting will take place on Monday, February 22. The meeting begins at 3:15 PM in the Hagler/Mason Conference Room, second floor, City Hall. The Enterprise Operations Committee and the Community Redevelopment Agency will not meet.

Committee of the Whole

Board appointments. The City Council will appoint 11 individuals to the City’s Environmental Advisory Board. There are fifteen candidates for the 11 positions, including eight incumbents. See the full agenda for the list of nominees.

16 South Palafox lease. Council will also consider leasing part of the City-owned building at 16 South Palafox Street to Mr. Ian Kaple. The lease would cover the first floor, portions of the exterior breezeway, and an area behind the building. The term of the lease would be five years, with an initial annual rent of $20,320 (about $1693/month), a figure that would increase by 2% annually. The City has been trying to dispose of the 16 South Palafox property for several years, and having been unsuccessful in selling the building, has recently pursued leasing the property. Mr. Kaple operates wine and liquor outlets in Pensacola and South Santa Rosa County.

Industrial moratorium in CRA? City staff is asking Council to hold a public forum at next Thursday’s regular Council meeting to consider a moratorium on the permitting of industrial land uses within the CRA district, which encompasses the area south of Cervantes Street between A Street and 17th Avenue.

Finance Committee

FY2009 CAFR. The City’s Finance Department will present Council with its FY2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). The full 154-page report, as well as an external audit by Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund,  is included within the full agenda.

Dental insurance renewal. Staff is asking Council to approve renewal of the City’s group dental insurance. The vendor, United Concordia, has offered the City a one-year renewal at no change in premium or coverage. The annual cost to the City is approximately $80,000.

City financial condition. The Finance Committee agenda also includes an information item regarding the City’s financial situation, prepared by independent auditors. It states in part:

City Council and management are responsible for monitoring financial condition. While the five-year trend indicates an unfavorable position, the Director of Finance has stated that the City is in good financial condition. This will continue as long as the City budget is structured so that on going revenues will fund on going expenditures and departments operate within their appropriations.

Economic and Community Development

Release of lien. Staff is asking Council to approve the release of a lien against property located at 120 Water Street. The lien was filed due to a computer error in which a permit appeared not to have been obtained when it had.

Right-of-way licenses. Council will also consider granting licenses to uses right of way to two restaurants. Artissimo, located at 104 South Palafox Street, is asking to use a 6′x40′ portion of the Palafox Street right-of-way for outdoor seating. The second applicant is the Five Sisters Blues Café, to be located at 421 West Belmont Street in the former Gussie’s Record Shop building. The restaurant wants to use a 6′x100′ portion of the De Villiers Street right-of-way and a 6′x125′ portion of the Belmont Street right-of-way for outdoor seating.

Neighbourhood Services

Heavy truck purchase. Council will consider the purchase of a heavy duty truck tractor for the Public Works Department. The truck would replace a 1993 model. Public Works uses the truck primarily to haul heavy machinery and equipment to work sites. The purchase price is $93,624; the vendor is Navistar International Trucks.

Police equipment purchase. Staff is also asking Council to consider the purchase of various accessories for equipping police vehicles. The total purchase price is $4,975.56; the vendor is Dana Safety Supply of Jacksonville.

I-110 right-of-way sublease. Also on the agenda is a proposal to sublet a portion of the Interstate 110 right-of-way to Rodney Rich, who is developing office buildings nearby at Tarragona and Wright streets. Mr. Rich would use the area for stormwater management. The small area would be leased for an annual fee of $500.

Roger Scott pool contract. One item that many have been waiting for is the award of the contract for renovations at the Roger Scott pool facility. Staff threw out the low bid because the company, from Orlando, omitted several key items. The next lowest bid, including the 10% contingency, is $671,990; the contractor is Morette Company, located within the City limits.

Links

• Committee of the Whole agenda
• Finance Committee agenda
• Economic and Community Development agenda
• Neighbourhood Services