MADEIRA BEACH – In a surprise move, the City Commission reversed three previous votes and decided to delay demolition of the log cabin at Archibald Park for an indefinite period.
The planned takedown of the structure, scheduled for April 30, was put off at the request of Mayor Charles Parker. Parker had resisted previous pleas to save the cabin, but apparently was persuaded to change his stance by a growing wave of citizen protest.
Parker’s remarks came at the outset of the April 24 regular commission meeting at City Hall. An area adjacent to the meeting room had to be opened to accommodate an overflow crowd.
The entire commission joined Parker in agreeing to a postponement. Commissioner Steve Kochick said more time was needed to assess the situation and decide the cabin’s fate.
“We need to step back and listen (to the citizens), and see what direction we are going to take,” Kochick said.
Commissioner Arnold Alloway said a town hall meeting, yet to be scheduled, would give citizens a chance to present their ideas for the cabin.
“We’ll find out what people are looking for, and what can be done,” he said.
Meanwhile, resident Eddie Lee announced he has the petition signatures necessary to force the commission to consider an ordinance that would preserve the cabin. Lee heads a citizens group seeking to save and restore the building.
An employee of Bay Pines Veterans Hospital had an idea for future use of the cabin that would retrace the building’s original purpose. Ramona Hook said she can remember when the cabin was used strictly as a beachside rehab setting for war-scarred veterans.
The hospital’s recreation director would be very interested in having the veterans come over and enjoy the facility once again, she said.
“The patients could come and have a cookout, go into the water,” Hook said.
Madeira Middle School student Kaitlyn Chalke, who initiated the idea of preserving the Snack Shack cabin when demolition appeared certain, said she was “totally awed” by the commission’s apparent change of heart. Chalke said she remained wary of the commission’s intentions, however.
“We’re still on our toes, and are going ahead with our ‘save plan’ for the cabin,” she said.
Chalke’s caution was confirmed when City Attorney Michael Connolly reminded everyone that the commission’s action does not guarantee the cabin’s long-term survival.
“The motion (passed by the commission) grants an indefinite stay (of demolition). It is not a final decision in any way, shape or form,” Connolly said.
Parker commented following the meeting that he had changed his mind on the demolition issue because he had gotten the impression that a large number of citizens were petitioning to save the cabin.
“This (decision) doesn’t mean that I am in favor of it necessarily, but I may support it if it’s what the citizens want,” Parker said.
John’s Pass parking fee hike tabled
A proposed doubling of the parking meter rate at John’s Pass Village to pay for recent boardwalk improvements has been put off.
The commission voted to table the increase from 50 cents an hour to $1 that had been agreed to at the April 3 workshop meeting. A resolution allowing the city to assess business owners on the boardwalk for up to 100 percent of its renovation cost will be reconsidered at the commission’s May 8 workshop.
Several commissioners expressed misgivings about the plan to raise parking meter fees at the Village, and use a portion of the increase to pay off a loan used to finance a $700,000 boardwalk renovation.
Commissioner Arnold Alloway said he was surprised by objections to the parking fee increase made by business owners at the workshop meeting.
“Some (of the owners) said they had rather see an assessment (than the parking rate increase),” Alloway said.
Commissioner Kochick said he had changed his mind on the issue, and now favored leaving the parking fee at 50 cents and assessing the business owners.
Citizen comment on the issue was mixed. Most agreed with Jill Mohns that the rate should be increased.
“All other parking lots in the city charge a dollar an hour. Why an exception for John’s Pass Village?” Mohn said. Deby Weinstein said raising the hourly rate is long overdue.
A majority of the citizens also agreed with assessing the merchants for the boardwalk improvements. Parking meter revenues should be used strictly for Village maintenance, as originally intended, Weinstein said.
“Merchants should be assessed and pay for the boardwalk,” Robin Moore said.
Other citizens wanted to eliminate the fund dedicated to Village maintenance, and have the parking meter revenue go into the city’s general fund.
“The fund that dedicates revenues from John’s Pass Village back to Village maintenance is inappropriate,” Dick Lewis declared.
Former Commissioner Marv Merrill said that the burden for Village maintenance should not be placed on city taxpayers.
“Eliminate the John’s Pass fund and put the money into the general fund,” Merrill said.
