HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/11/2011 (2) MINUTES ATTACHED
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11TH, 2011 al
` LVE
9 : 00 A. M . All
1IN I JOINT MEETING =r£ INN
� -
' INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
j ,
lORI� 'x' BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AND
CITY OF VERO BEACH
CITY COUNCIL
Indian River County Administration Complex
1800271h Street, Building B
Room B1 -501
Vero Beach , Florida
AGENDA
1 . CALL TO ORDER - Chairman Bob Solari
2 . INTRODUCTION OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF
Chairman Bob Solari
3 . INTRODUCTION OF CITY OF VERO BEACH CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF
Mayor Jay Kramer
4 . DISCUSSION : POSSIBLE EXCHANGE OF CITY OWNED AND COUNTY OWNED PROPERTIES AT THE
FORMER DODGERTOWN COMPLEX
a. Introductory Comments
b . Presentation by Craig Callan, Vice President, Vero Beach Sports Village
C . Presentation by City of Vero Beach
d. Presentation by Indian River County
5 . QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
6 . QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC
7 . COMMISSION AND COUNCIL ACTION
8 . ADJOURN
Anyone who may wish to appeal any decision which may be made at this meeting will need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings
is made which
includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal will be based.
Anyone who needs a special accommodation for this meeting may contact the County' s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator at
(772) 226- 1223
(TDD # 772-770-5215 ) at least 48 hours in advance of meeting .
Commission Meeting may be broadcast live by Comcast Cable Channel 27 Rebroadcasts
continuously with the following proposed schedule:
Tuesday at 6 : 00 p. m. until Wednesday at 6 : 00 a. m .,
Wednesday at 9 : 00 a. m . until 5: 00 p. m.,
Thursday at 1 :00 p. m. through Friday Morning,
and Saturday at 12 : 00 Noon to 5 : 00 p. m.
January 11 , 2011 — Joint Meeting
Indian River County Board of County Commissioners
and City of Vero Beach City Council
Page 1 of 1
JEFFREY K . BARTON
Clerk to the BoardIpA
INDEX OF JOINT MEETING
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND
CITY COUNCIL OF VERO BEACH
JANUARY 111 2011
1. CALL TO ORDER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . .. . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . .
. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2. INTRODUCTIONOFINDL4NRIVER COUNTYBOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERSANDSTAFF. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3. INTRODUCTION OF CITY OF VERO BEACH CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF. . 2
4. DISCUSSION: POSSIBLE EXCHANGE OF CITY OWNED AND COUNTY
OWNED PROPERTIES AT THE FORM DODGER TOWN COMLEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
4.A. Introductory Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . off goes * 2
4. B. Presentation by Craig Callan, Vice President, Vero Beach Sports Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
4. C. Presentation by City of Vero Beach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4. D. Presentation by Indian River County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . Goods 3
5. QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS AND
COUNCIL MEMBERS. . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
6. QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FROMPUBLIC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S
7. COMMISSIONAND COUNCIL ACTION. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Joint Meeting with City of Vero Beach 1
January 11 , 2011
e
8. ADJOURN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Joint Meeting with City of Vero Beach 2
January 11 , 2011
k
f
JEFFREY K . BARTON � c
Clerk to the Board
�lORI04'
January 11 , 2011
JOINT MEETING OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AND
VERO BEACH CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 11 , 2011
The Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County, Florida, met in Joint
Session at the County Administration Complex, 1800 27d' Street, Building B , Room B1 - 501 ,
Vero Beach, Florida, on Tuesday, January 11 , 2011 . Present from the County were Chairman
Bob Solari , Vice Chairman Gary C . Wheeler, Commissioners Wesley S . Davis , Joseph E .
Flescher, and Peter D . O ' Bryan . Also present were County Attorney Alan S . Polackwich, Sr. ,
County Administrator Joseph A . Baird, Assistant County Administrator Michael Zito ,
Management and Budget Director Jason Brown, and Deputy Clerk Leona Adair Allen.
Present from the City of Vero Beach were Mayor Jay Kramer, Vice Mayor Pilar Turner,
Interim City Manager Monte Falls , and City Councilmembers Brian Heady , Craig Fletcher,
Tracy Carroll , City Attorney Charles Vitunac, and City Clerk Tammy Vock .
1 . CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Solari called the meeting to order at 9 : 05 a.m .
Joint Meeting with City of Vero Beach 1
January 11 , 2011
2 . INTRODUCTION OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF
Chairman Solari requested introductions from the Board of County Commissioners and
staff.
3 . INTRODUCTION OF CITY OF VERO BEACH CITY COUNCIL
AND STAFF
Mayor Jay Kramer requested introductions from his City Council and staff.
4. DISCUSSION : POSSIBLE EXCHANGE OF CITY OWNED AND
COUNTY OWNED PROPERTIES AT THE FORM DODGERTOWN
COMLEX
4.A. INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS
Community Development Planning Director Stan Boling conveyed that this meeting is to
discuss the possible exchange of City owned and County owned properties at the Vero Beach
Sports Village , formerly known as Dodgertown.
4A PRESENTATION BY CRAIG CALLAN, VICE PRESIDENT, VERO BEACH
SPORTS VILLAGE
Vice President of Minor League Baseball (MiLB) Craig Callan stressed the urgency of
moving forward quickly to enable MiLB to put together quotes and bids and accomplish a
productive spring schedule as planned . He relayed his President ' s message that MiLB wants to
Joint Meeting with City of Vero Beach 2
January 11 , 2011
bring the facility back to being a premier multi - sports facility . He presented the plans MiLB has
set to achieve success .
4. C. PRESENTATION BY CITY OF VERO BEACH
Interim City Manager Monte Falls presented an aerial map displaying the history of
parcels exchanged since 1990 at the Vero Beach Sports Village between the City, the Los
Angeles Dodgers and the County . Today ' s focus was the exchange of parcels between the City
of Vero Beach and the County involving the baseball cloverleaf parcels , the heart- shaped pond,
and the parking parcels . Through a slideshow (photos on file) , he presented three possible
configurations for improving the parcels involved in this exchange . After his presentation, he
responded to questions from the Board and County Attorney .
4. D. PRESENTATIONBYINDIANRIVER COUNTY
County Attorney Alan S . Polackwich made two observations : 1 ) the City and the County
desire an end result that will work for the public, and 2) the County has more challenges
maintaining the many uses of their property , such as baseball fields, a hotel , administration
buildings , access to the north, than the property owned by the City .
Director of Public Works Chris Mora displayed an aerial map to further discuss
advantages and disadvantages of the different configurations presented by Mr. Callan, and laid
out two different alternatives, stating that staff preferred a configuration that would provide some
open space for expansion . He responded to questions regarding parking, the parking layout,
access to and from the fields , additional cost for improvements, and the advantage of having one
pond versus two .
Management and Budget Director Jason Brown briefly discussed an estimated capital
improvement cost of $ 3 . 1 million (slideshow on file) for the facility lease agreement and the
MiLB proposed improvements . He displayed a breakdown of cost from inception through
Joint Meeting with City of Vero Beach 3
January 11 , 2011
November 30 , 2010 at $22 million, plus the new improvements, for an estimated overall total of
$ 23 . 2 million.
Commissioner Davis sought clarification from Director Brown that no ad valorem tax
dollars have been or will be used for future improvements . Director Brown made it clear that
they do not attempt to burden the taxpayer with these costs . The majority of the debt services
were coming from other revenue sources .
County Administrator Joseph Baird wanted to clarify that the $ 3 . 1 million was not
included in the bond issue , and said most likely the $ . O1 cent sales tax would be used .
5 . QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS AND
COUNCILMEMBERS
Mr . Callan responded to several questions posed by Vice Chairman Wheeler who wanted
to know the significance of keeping the heart-shaped pond, versus having more parking spaces in
that area. He pointed out that the Board was trying to do something economical and beneficial ,
and he wanted MiLB to look at the value of having a heart-shaped pond versus the value of
adding parking spaces in that area. Mr. Callan agreed with Vice Chairman Wheeler, and stated
that if this was the "deal breaker" MiLB would not have an issue , should there not be a heart-
shaped pond .
There was additional questioning posed to Mr. Callan by the Board and City Council
seeking further in-depth information regarding parking, retaining , or moving the pond, and the
possibility of having a three- field cloverleaf configuration opposed to four, to allow open space
for parking, and the distance to the fields from the intended parking areas .
Joint Meeting with City of Vero Beach 4
January 11 , 2011
6 . QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC
Chairman Solari opened the floor to the public .
Rene Renzi, Waverly Place , wanted to know if it was true that the Los Angeles Dodgers
were still owners of a road at the Sports Village . She was advised by Attorney Polackwich that
the issue was resolved prior to it being printed in the newspaper.
Listed below are names of those who addressed the Board and City Council expressing
the importance of supporting MiLB , a year-round facility, putting "heads-in-beds", and making a
huge impact on the community :
Bruce Fremming, MiLB Umpire
Amy Selby, Springhill Suites Marriot Hotel , Director of Sales
Vicki Hahn, former Director of Sales at Dodgertown, an independent sales consultant
The Chairman called for a break at 10: 45 a. m. and reconvened the meeting at 10 : 55
a. m. , with all members present.
After the break the following people addressed this issue requesting the Board to move
forward approving the property exchange .
Ken Day , 1846 21 " Avenue
Jennifer Bates , Representative of Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, and Country Inn Suites
Susan Hunt, Director of Tourism
Rick Shelby, Treasure Coast Sports Commission
Commissioner O ' Bryan read statistics provided by Mr. Shelby relaying the positive
impact to hotels and restaurants since MiLB has come into the County. Commissioner O ' Bryan
wanted to make a decision today, and supported moving forward immediately .
Joint Meeting with City of Vero Beach 5
January 11 , 2011
7. COMMISSION AND COUNCIL ACTION
Chairman Solari opened the floor to the Board .
Commissioner Davis learned from Administrator Baird that staff wanted to accommodate
a good facility and support the concept. Their only concern was space being tight.
Director Mora suggested moving the boundary line on the pond between the City
property and the County property 100 feet to the west to allow for a spacious walkway ; they
could then look at the pond configuration, which most likely would be larger. This would give
them enough property to keep the facility nice, and allow for the 250 feet of length needed for
the fields .
Interim City Manager Monte Falls failed to see what shifting the boundary line 100 feet
would accomplish, and wanted to know if they were talking about relocating the pond, or
wanting to create more space for additional facilities . He wondered if someone could share
information about the plans for the area to the north.
Questioning continued by Commissioner Davis to the Councilmembers . He was seeking
another alternative . He understood that the pond was necessary for water retention, but he did
not feel that taking three acres and turning it into a pond was the right decision, when everyone
stated at today ' s meeting that the area would be more valuable as parking space .
Discussion continued whereby the City Council expressed having no problem with
moving the boundary line and making the best use of the land ; however, some Councilmembers
did not feel they had the authority to make that decision due to the Tenant Lease Agreement with
MiLB .
Joint Meeting with City of Vero Beach 6
January 11 , 2011
Councilmember Craig Fletcher personally wanted the land made into a 6-hole golf course
as it was in the past. He questioned whether County staff was wanting 60 feet or otherwise , and
was disturbed to learn that although the City consented to giving the County 60 feet, it was still
not enough, and the County was asking for more footage .
A lengthy discussion continued between the Board and City Council to negotiate the
amount of footage involved in this matter.
Vice Chairman Wheeler stated he looked at this as an economic development plan for the
County of Indian River of which Vero Beach is a part, and he wanted a commitment now to
make it work, with or without the 100 feet. He feared MiLB may leave the County .
MOTION WAS MADE by Vice Chairman Wheeler,
SECONDED by Commissioner Flescher, to approve the
property exchange (land swap) , with a commitment from
both elected bodies agreeing to "whatever it takes to make
it work", for staff to move forward with MiLB .
Commissioner Flescher expressed the need to work together.
Commissioner O ' Bryan proposed solving the problem at hand, now, by focusing on the
property exchange because MiLB needed the fields to generate revenue for the County, and to
focus on the improvements later.
The Chairman called a break for lunch at I1 : SO a. m. and he reconvened the meeting at
1 : 00 P. m. , with all members present.
During the break City and County staff continued discussing this matter, and afterwards
Administrator Baird announced that both parties found a common ground that they could reach.
If the County kept the land boundary in the form of an easement, as it is now, it would leave up
Joint Meeting with City of Vero Beach 7
January 11 , 2011
to a third of the pond on City land, giving the County enough latitude to make a better complex .
Administrator Baird felt it was a good compromise .
Questions were posed to Interim Manager Falls by City Council , seeking further
clarification of what changes this meant to their proposed drawing that they originally voted
upon . He confirmed that City staff agreed to the concept as Administrator Baird described .
Commissioner Flescher was concerned who would be responsible for the maintenance of
the pond, which Administrator Baird believed would be the County ' s responsibility.
Upon learning that the parking parcel restrictions allowed only for green space and public
parking use , Commissioner Davis expressed his concern that the County would be locked- in to
those restrictions in the future , and he wanted a lot more flexibility . County Attorney Polackwich
advised him that the lease restrictions would be amended .
MOTION WAS AMENDED by Vice Chairman Wheeler,
SECONDED by Commissioner Flescher, to approve the property
exchange , leaving up to one-third of the pond on City property,
and to look for the most efficient use of that site .
Chairman Solari opposed the motion for three reasons : 1 ) the parking issues have not
been adequately addressed to provide long-term usage of the Sports Village . It had been
narrowed down to accommodate baseball for MiLB , but he believed no private business would
want the facility without adequate parking ; 2) they are spending over 1 . 2 million dollars for
economic dollars, and no special analysis has been made that this is the best way to spend those
economic development dollars ; and 3 ) this is economic development dollars for one single
company . He believed those dollars should be available for economic development throughout
the County .
Joint Meeting with City of Vero Beach 8
January 11 , 2011
THE CHAIRMAN CALLED THE QUESTION and the Motion
carried 3 -2 (Commissioner O ' Bryan and Chairman Solari
opposed) . The Board approved the property exchange , leaving up
to one-third of the pond on City property, and to look for the most
efficient use of that site .
Chairman Solari passed the gavel to Mayor Kramer.
MOTION WAS MADE by Councilmember Tracy Carroll ,
SECONDED by Vice Mayor Pilar Turner, to allow one-third of the
lake to encroach on City property .
Discussion ensued by Mayor Kramer, requesting clarification on exactly what to vote on
to move forward.
Council Member Heady clarified the motion to be the approval of the property exchange
by City Council , as voted previously, and to include one-third of the pond to encroach on the
City ' s property . He did not support the motion for similar reasons as stated by Chairman Solari
in regards to the need for parking and the way economic development dollars are being dispersed
for one business .
The Mayor CALLED THE QUESTION and the Motion carried
4- 1 , (Councilmember Brian Heady opposed) . The City Council
approved the land exchange , with one-third of the pond to
encroach on the City ' s property .
Mayor Kramer passed the gavel to Chairman Solari .
Joint Meeting with City of Vero Beach 9
January 11 , 2011
Commissioner Davis continued his discussion regarding the removal of restrictions on
the parking property . He wanted to give the property to the City unencumbered of any
restrictions .
Chairman Solari suggested this item be placed on the Agenda for the January 18 , 2011
Board of County Commission meeting, provided the appropriate documents have been signed
and received from DT Commons , LLC , and MiLB ; then the City would have time to decide if
they want the land unencumbered .
8 . ADJOURN
There being no further business , the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned at
1 : 35 p . m .
(Clerk 's Note : Upon completion of the Joint Meeting with the City of Vero Beach, the
Chairman called for a short break at 1 : 35 p. m . , and he reconvened the Regular Board of County
Commission Meeting at 1 : 40 p. m. , with all members present.)
ATTEST :
Jeffrey K . Barton, Clerk Bob Solari , Chairman
Minutes Approved : MAR 0 R 2091
LA/ms
Joint Meeting with City of Vero Beach 10
January 11 , 2011