ADD-ON LEGISLATIVE ACTION ITEM
SPONSOR: City Council President Jared Moore
SUBJECT:
title
REFERRAL TO PLANNING BOARD, VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK RESTROOMS, HOLD ON FURTHER ACTION PENDING PLANNING BOARD REVIEW AND PLACING A FREEZE ON THE REMAINING $25,000 APPROPRIATED FOR THE VETERANS PARK MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR RESTROOM SITE WORK
end
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
That City Council refer to the Planning Board, for review and recommendation, specifically as to location, the proposed Veterans Memorial Park Restroom Project. Further that a hold be placed on any further action regarding this project until such a time as the Planning Board has reviewed and supplied a recommendation to City Council and that City Council has the opportunity to discuss the issue. Finally, that a monetary freeze be placed on the remaining $25,000 of the previously appropriated $50,000 for site work on this project.
end
body
HEARING REQUIRED: No Hearing Required
SUMMARY:
The proposed location for the Veterans Memorial Park Restroom Project falls within the Gateway Redevelopment District (GRD) and is located in Admiral Mason Park.
Section 12-3-12 of the Land Development Code (LDC) under section (1) (a) states in part:
The gateway redevelopment district is established to promote the orderly redevelopment of the southern gateway to the city in order to enhance its visual appearance, preserve a unique shoreline vista, improve traffic safety, and encourage a high quality of site planning and architectural design. Site specific analysis of each development proposal within the gateway district is intended to ensure that the scenic orientation and open space image of the Bayfront Parkway is maintained, the development character of the Chase-Gregory corridor is upgraded, and the boundary of the adjacent historic district is positively reinforced.
Section 12-3-12 (c)(1-2) with regards to the procedure for review of plans, states in part:
…Every application for new certificate of occupancy or a building permit to erect, construct…or exterior site work (i.e. paving and landscaping of off-street parking areas), located or to be located in the gateway redevelopment district shall be accompanied with drawings or sketches with sufficient detail to show, as far as they relate to exterior appearances, the architectural design of the building, sign or exterior work…
The current proposal will be treated like an RV under our Flood Ordinance. The only issued building permits will be for the utilities - Plumbing & Electrical (no permits have been applied for or issued to date).
Section 6-2-3 - Duties [Parks and Recreation Board] - of the City Code states:
The parks and recreation board shall advise and make recommendations to the city council and shall advise the mayor on matters concerning the establishment, maintenance and operation of parks and recreational activities within the city. The board shall provide input on master plan updates and improvements, and policy development for the use of recreational facilities.
On March 18, 2021 the Parks and Recreation Board discussed this item and submitted a resolution to the City Council stating:
The Parks & Recreation board today resolved through a 4 to 1 vote to advise the City Council that we find that an error has been made in the placement of the proposed restroom trailer on Romana Street on Admiral Mason Park property. We ask the Council to review all possible options, including additional funding.
The recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Board was then added to the March 22, 2022 City Council Agenda Conference as a discussion item, with the result being a desired add-on legislative action item for consideration at the March 25, 2021 City Council meeting.
The Veterans Memorial Park Foundation of Pensacola is an independent, non-profit organization tasked with overseeing the operation and maintenance of Pensacola’s Veterans Memorial Park. The Veterans Memorial Park serves all citizens of the Pensacola Bay Area as well as thousands of visitors to the area. Various local and national Veteran groups use the park for activities, and local civic and youth organizations utilize this venue for other charitable, commemorative, and educational events. The Foundation expects an increase in visits by schools, Scouts and other community organizations to use the Park for field trips and educational events consistent with the Foundation’s mission.
Based on feedback from educators, the Veterans Memorial Park Foundation plans to provide restroom accommodations that will enhance the Park’s utility as a field trip destination for students and other groups, as well as for other educational and memorial events desired by community and military groups who visit. Currently there are no restrooms in the nearby vicinity, and it has consistently been identified by Park visitors as its greatest infrastructure need.
The Foundation received an IMPACT 100 grant to be used for the purchase and installation of a mobile air-conditioned restroom trailer for the Park that can be moved as needed for other events or in case of impending natural disaster. The plan involves the attachment of this facility to existing utilities, making it a semi-permanent installation, wrapped to blend into the existing environment and requiring minimum maintenance and sustainment. However, the IMPACT 100 grant does not provide funding for the site work that must be done before the facility can be installed.
The Foundation has requested a donation of $50,000 from the City of Pensacola to provide funding for the site work for the Veterans Memorial Park Restroom Project to enable the completion of this project, which was approved by the City Council on February 11, 2021. The facility enhancements will improve the ability to conduct these and other events at the Park.
This item seeks to delay any further action regarding the placement of the restrooms until such a time as the Planning Board has the opportunity to review and recommend. It further requests that a monetary freeze be placed on the $25,000 remaining from the original $50,000 that was appropriated.
PRIOR ACTION:
February 11, 2021 - City Council approved Supplemental Budget Resolution 2021-07 appropriating $50,000 from the current available fund balance in the General Fund.
March 18, 2021 - Parks and Recreation Board passed a resolution asking City Council to review all possible options including additional funding.
March 22, 2021 - City Council conducted a discussion regarding the proposed restroom project.
FUNDING:
Budget: $0
Actual: $50,000
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
$25,000 of the initial allocation has been delivered, this item requests a monetary freeze on the remaining $25,000
STAFF CONTACT:
Don Kraher, Council Executive
ATTACHMENTS:
1) MOU between the City and Veterans Park Memorial Foundation
2) Map of Veterans Memorial Park and Admiral Mason park boundaries
3) External Parks Recreation Board Resolution - re Veterans Memorial Park Restrooms
4) Miscellaneous appropriations agreement between the City of Pensacola and Veterans Memorial Park Foundation of Pensacola, Inc.
PRESENTATION: No