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Town of Ocean Ridge |
Town Hall: |
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Town Hall Building & Zoning Police Department
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SPECIAL MEETING HELD BY THE TOWN COMMISSION FOR THE TOWN OF OCEAN RIDGE, FLORIDA, TO BE HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1999, AT 8:00 A.M. The meeting was called to order and roll call was answered by the following: Commissioner Aaskov Commissioner Stamos Commissioner Bridges Mayor Kaleel It was noted that Commissioner O’Hare was absent with notice.
Comm Bridges advised that he after rethinking the issue, checking the map on the useable land area, and speaking with the Town Manager he wanted to move to reconsider the purchase of the Gurino property with the new amended purchase price. Comm Aaskov seconded the motion. Comm Stamos stated that at the last meeting he had seconded a motion made by Comm Bridges for a purchase price of $50,000 and he still agrees with that amount. He expressed concern that he did not feel the Commission authorized Mayor Kaleel to become involved with the negotiations. He stated that in this type of situation the actual monetary amount should not have been negotiated until brought before the majority of the Commission. He added that he had researched the real estate law regarding changes in a contract and if a change occurred the contract is negated, however, nothing would prohibit a new contract. He likened this situation with the Mayor to a period when he felt he was reprimanded for speaking on behalf of the Commission. His final comment was that he was in favor of purchasing the property but he was against approving the negotiated price without prior Commission input. Atty Nicoletti stated that in early November 1998 the town had a contract with a $130,000 price. He advised that subsequent to the environmental agency response and discussions with Mr. Gurino the price was reduced to $100,000 and through further negotiations was reduced to $75,000, which was rejected by the Commission at the February 1, 1999 meeting. Regarding the question on whether the contract was still valid, Atty Nicoletti advised that yes it was valid and could still be modified and renegotiated. Motion Carried – Yea (4). Comm Bridges moved to adopt Resolution No. 99-02 with the purchase price of $70,000, seconded by Comm Aaskov. Mayor Kaleel responded to Comm Stamos’ earlier comment by stating that he was approached by Mr. Gurino approximately one year ago regarding the property and then met with Gary Lanker, Town Manager at the time, and the realtor and discussed his meeting with them. Mayor Kaleel stated that at that time Mr. Gurino wanted $250,000 for the property and although he scoffed at that price he approached the Commission anyway. He stated that subsequent negotiations took place between the staff and realtor, which resulted in the $130,000 price. He added that when negotiations were further reduced to $100,000 he asked the staff if it would be helpful if he spoke to Mr. Gurino, with the Town Manager present, since they had originally developed the relationship and in so doing the price was further reduced to $75,000. He added that at no time was he ever admonished over his discussions until today. He commented that when the negotiations ultimately reduced the price to $75,000 he felt very strongly about purchasing the property because it would add to the narrow strip currently owned by the town. He added that the town would suffer a great hardship if a private owner were to obtain the property. He felt the other Commissioners might have failed to recognize the importance of owning the property. Mayor Kaleel commented that after the February meeting he was not upset that the vote was turned down but that the Commission may not have understood the process or the impact it could make. He added that after that meeting he spoke with both the realtor and Mr. Gurino and questioned him on donating the property or the town paying $50,000 and him donating the rest but he refused. He stated that Mr. Gurino called him again, as a member of the Commission not on behalf of the Commission, and stated he would accept $70,000 and forward an addendum per Atty Nicoletti’s request. His final comment was that he felt good about the offer and added that two $100,000 property appraisals speaks for itself. Comm Stamos stated that he was not trying to threaten Mayor Kaleel but he (the Mayor) made a statement that the Commission didn’t know what they were doing. Mayor Kaleel responded stating that his comment was that the Commission did not have knowledge on the subject. Comm Stamos again commented that the Commission would have unanimously voted to offer Mr. Gurino $50,000 at the last meeting. He stated that he appreciated the efforts by Mayor Kaleel, however, he felt the monetary amount should have been decided by the total Commission. He added that he was not opposing the purchase of the property now. Comm Bridges stated that he was always under the impression that Mayor Kaleel was authorized to negotiate with Mr. Gurino. He added that after rethinking the issue he asked Town Manager Dunham to contact Atty Nicoletti and advise him that he wanted to reconsider the item. He also stated that he felt Mr. Gurino might have lowered the price to $70,000 because of action taken by Comm Stamos and himself. Atty Nicoletti stated that Mr. Gurino actually called him after the meeting on Monday and asked what it would take to proceed with the sale of the property. He added that he felt Mr. Gurino was anxious to do something with the property either to the town or someone else. Comm Aaskov wanted to thank all the individuals that participated in the negotiations and stated that she felt the land would be valuable to the town. Motion Carried – Yea (4). On an unrelated issue Comm Stamos stated that he heard that Mayor Kaleel and Comm Askov had solicited the candidates for the upcoming election for support for the Mayor seat in March. He stated that he felt this was wrong and that if he heard of this again he may consider filing a charge. Mayor Kaleel responded that he did no such thing and that Dr. Martel had called him and asked him if he would be interested in serving again as Mayor to which he was advised that if the Commission wanted him to be Mayor again he would do so. Comm Aaskov also denied Comm Stamos accusation and requested to hear who supposedly made the comment. Comm Aaskov commented that a few years ago Comm Stamos had contacted her soliciting for the Mayor seat to which he denied ever doing so and stated she had called him. Town Manager Dunham advised that a tentative joint meeting with the Town Commission and Planning & Zoning Commission was scheduled for Wednesday, March 10, 1999 at 6:00 P.M. with Urban Design Studios. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:30 A.M. |
