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City to make offer on property for fire station
By WAYNE AYERS
Article published on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007 |
BELLEAIR BLUFFS – The city will make an offer of $877,000 to acquire several residential properties needed for a new fire station. The offer is $300,000 above a recent “drive by” appraisal of the parcels. The properties are on Bayway Drive, across from the City Hall/Community Center complex.
The topic was the subject of heated debate at Monday night’s City Commission meeting.
Mayor Chris Arbutine had originally proposed offering a total of $1 million for the parcels, which Fire Commissioner Hunt Brand said is the only place in the city suitable for the fire station. Public Works director Robert David said there was no way to build a new station on the present fire department property.
“This is the only property we can get that would work,” Brand concurred. However, Brand also said he was concerned about the price.
Arbutine said the city would need to pay a high price to obtain the properties because the residents do not want to
sell. The use the city would get from the property far exceeds its appraised value, he said.
Commissioner Robert Russo strongly objected to making the offer, saying the $1 million price was way too high, especially at a time when the city is cutting expenses.
“If (those properties) are worth a million dollars, then my house is worth a million,” said Russo.
Commissioner David Shimkus suggested reducing the $1 million offer to $877,000 “or thereabouts.” Shimkus, a mortgage broker, pointed out that the real estate market is down and property values are decreasing. “Paying almost twice what the property is valued is going too far,” he said.
Russo said the $877,000 figure was still excessive. He also had concerns for residents that would neighbor the station.
“We have a lot of residents who will be upset. The people on Lentz (Road) are going to go ballistic,” Russo said.
With the exception of Russo, the rest of the commission went along with Shimkus’ recommendation. The offer will be contingent upon the city obtaining financing that will be approved by the commission.
Arbutine said he would make the $877,000 offer, but doubted the seller would accept. He said the cost of acquiring the properties could go even higher if the city waits to buy.
“The property owner knows we have a use, so it’s become a very, very valuable piece of property,” Arbutine said.
Resident Mark Naedel predicted the city will have trouble getting a loan on the property, due to its price. Naedel, who said he is a former commercial bank examiner, said no bank would lend money on a property if its cost far exceeds its value.
Fire chief to investigate comments
On Shimkus’ request, acting Largo fire Chief Karry Bell agreed to conduct an investigation into remarks that Bluffs firefighter spokesperson Lt. Chuck Barlet made to the Belleair Bee after last week’s workshop meeting.
Barlet’s remarks concerned firefighter grievances, which were discussed by the commission at the meeting. Public comments on the topic were not allowed at the time.
Shimkus claimed Barlet “deliberately lied about several things” and had misled the reporter.
Bell said no investigation had been held into the matter, but said he intended to check it out and find out what was said. Shimkus requested a formal investigation be done.
Russo warned Bell that he did “not want this whitewashed.”
“I have sat back for years and heard (City Clerk) Debra Sullivan being attacked by the fire department. I’ve always been a supporter of the fire department, but this needs to stop now,” Russo said.
“We need to clear the air,” added Brand.
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Article published on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007
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