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Lease changes hang up fire accord
By WAYNE AYERS
| Article published on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009 |
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BELLEAIR BLUFFS – Largo officials have made significant changes to the proposed agreement to lease the Belleair Bluffs fire station, a move that put a snag in what had been steady progress toward transitioning the Bluffs department to Largo control.
City Attorney Thomas Trask announced the changes at Monday night’s City Commission workshop. “There are significant differences between our leases,” he said. Speaking of the lease submitted by Largo he said, “It doesn’t look anything like the lease we provided.”
The changes frustrated Mayor Chris Arbutine, who said the station lease had already been talked about for months.
“I’m tired of this,” Arbutine said. “We have a multimillion-dollar fire contract to resolve, and I’m not interested in spending two more months on the damn lease agreement.”
Largo fire Chief Michael Wallace was at the meeting and appeared willing to compromise on the issues at stake.
A requested station lease payment of $40,000 a year was cut in half to $20,000 in the revised agreement. An independent analysis had valued the lease at $42,000.
Arbutine proposed $30,000 annually.
“That’s our figure and we stick with it,” he said.
Wallace responded that his budget would support that amount.
Largo also insisted Belleair Bluffs pay to correct current code violations and make needed repairs to the station over the duration of the lease. Arbutine said he wanted an agreement more like standard commercial leases where the tenant is responsible for most repairs. The commission agreed to be responsible for structural damage only – to the walls, roof and foundation.
“I’m not in favor of paying any of the violations,” Arbutine said. “If (Largo) wants to bring it up to code as a station, that is their responsibility.”
“I’m ok with that,” Wallace said.
He added that none of the code violations found were significant or expensive.
Largo did agree to remain in the station for a minimum two years, a demand the Bluffs commission had made. Previously, Largo had wanted a 60-day move-out option. Now, the 60-day notice will apply only after the initial two-year period.
Wallace indicated Largo is still looking at property on which to build a new fire station and would likely have to keep the Bluffs station open at least two years.
“We are not anywhere near to erecting a new facility,” he indicated.
Other changes requested by Largo but not addressed at Monday’s meeting were a reduction in the interest charged for late rental payments from a requested 8 percent to 1 percent, having Belleair Bluffs be responsible for liability coverage on the fire engine, and removal of a clause stating the building cannot be sublet.
Largo has no intention of leasing out any portion of the station to a third party, Wallace stated.
Trask said the complications arising from the station lease changes would need to be resolved quickly so a new fire suppression agreement can take effect.
The memorandum of understanding between the two cities which governs the fire department expires Nov. 30, he noted.
Drainage project completion set
Done by Thanksgiving. That’s the latest date being given out by Public Works Director Robert David for finishing the multimillion-dollar drainage and road replacement project begun two years ago on the city’s northwest side. The completion date has been a moving target that tends to be pushed out as the deadline approaches. The job is currently six weeks behind schedule. Recent delays have been due to problems with utility line placement.
The project is definitely wrapping up, and the Thanksgiving date appears to be sure, David indicated at the meeting.
“The paving, curbing and driveways – everything is done except some irrigation,” he said.
Among those happy to see the project end will be resident Pat Arbutine. The Arbutines’ lawn has been destroyed in the process, her son, the mayor, reported. Commissioner Suzy Sofer said she will be glad to be able to wash her car again.
Short term rental law needed
The city needs a policy regulating short term rentals, City Clerk Debra Sullivan told the commission. She said Belleair Bluffs’ prime off-beach location makes it attractive to renters seeking access to the shore without paying beachfront prices, especially in the current down economy. But residents do not want a hotel next door to them, she added.
Arbutine said he had received an inquiry from a local apartment complex owner about converting to a high-end suite-type hotel.
“If we don’t regulate (short term rentals), there won’t be a way to track it,” Sullivan said.
Commissioner Hunt Brand said he did not like the idea of allowing short term rentals.
“People will be showing up that won’t be here long, and have no interest in the community,” he said.
Paul Kuykendall, who chairs the Charter and Ordinance Review Committee, said his group would review the code to recommend a policy on the issue.
“We have to be careful of our identity as a city,” Commissioner Jack Nazario warned.
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Article published on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009
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