2007 0816 Regular City Commission Meeting

Home Browse Search

Summary Minutes: Regular City Commission Meeting August 16,2007 City of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida Commissioner Goodman said he was under the impression that the Pier was owned by the Newport Hotel, and Mayor Edelcup said they had a lease with the State of Florida. Commissioner Goodman said that the State never fixed the Pier, it was the Newport Hotel that fixed the Pier, so what we are doing is asking them to participate in the renovation of the Pier. Mayor Ede1cup said it is a multi-million dollar project and yes the State owned the Pier and they have leased it to Dr. Cornfeld' s operations for the past 15-20 years, and has operated under that lease arrangement with the State of Florida. Commissioner Goodman asked if he still has a lease, and Mayor Ede1cup said no, the lease expired. Mayor Edelcup said that they had a meeting with our Lobbyist Ron Book, who will also be useful in securing grant money for this project. Mayor Edelcup said that he, the City Manager, Ron Book and the City Attorney, will try to coordinate this effort. He said that Gwen Margolis is in favor of it as well. Commissioner Iglesias said that this is our major landmark in this City. Cassey Gabor, member ofthe City's Historic Preservation Board, said that she is very happy that the City will be taking over this historic site. It is one of only a few historic sites in our City and hopefully under the City care it will be restored and kept in perfect condition as any historic treasure should be. She said she hopes when it is open that entry will be free, and suggested that the City build a small booth at the entrance to the Pier with plants and flowers for sale, as well as a tourist information booth where visitors will be able to get brochures of the attractions, restaurants, and businesses in our City, and the money from the advertising will help cover the expenses of the Pier. She said tourist information centers are typical to all tourist destinations around the world and that the Pier would be the perfect location for it. She asked that the City invest the necessary funds and save this 72-year old historic landmark that is a major tourist attraction, symbol, and signature of our City. Mayor Edelcup said that the City will address some of her suggestions, as they were very good. Commissioner Goodman asked if we have to enter into a lease with the State to do all this, and Mayor Ede1cup said yes, at some point we will have a legal document that delineates what our operation is and yes, since it will still be owned by the State, we will have to enter into an agreement with the State for the City to manage it for them. City Manager Szerlag said it is just prudent management to acquire an asset that is in a functionally operable condition. Bud Scholl, Chairman ofthe City's Historic Board, said that he was also at the meeting with the Mayor and Lobbyist Ron Book, and various staff members, and we are going to try to get grant money from multiple sources, because the one thing he garnered from our Lobbyist was that we are not going to go to one source and they are going to write a check for $4 Million Dollars to fix our Pier, especially given the budget constraints that most of these State and Federal agencies are facing now. The letters that went out are probably a five or six prong attack to try to get money from different sources, but it is going to take time. He said it sounded like it is going to be a relatively long-term process meaning 12-18 months, and so he knows that there has been a lot of frustration among the residents and they have come to the Historic Board and voiced their frustration but unfortunately he doesn't think the City is in the position right now to write a check for $4 Million Dollars nor is there anyone agency that we can tap at this point in time. 12