Council Moves Ahead, (sort of), With Plan to Ask For Circus Area Letters of Intent. Airport Administrator, Chris Rozansky, proposed to Council that he develop and issue a “Letter of Intent” request. He described that as an initial step toward a Request for Proposals, a formal document issued by the City, which may benefit from ideas generated by the letters of intent from anyone hoping to develop the Circus Arena site, (about 11 acres, including the main building now reduced to steel work and the smaller octagonal site formerly used by animal trainer Gunther Goebbels-Williams.) Council Members spoke to this idea, with Jim Bennett expressing his disapproval. Dave Sherman raised questions about the process, particularly dealing with the concept of “Fair Market Value” which the FAA requires for use of non-aeronautical use of airport property when leased. Kit McKeon told Circus Foundation supporters that his heart was with them, but his intellect had some questions. Bob Daniels tried to make the issue one of taxpayer dollars, pointing out the $1000 a year lease that Ringling had, more than a decade ago, and the fact that the City subsidized the airport at that time. Emilio Carlesimo, essentially talked out of both sides of his mouth, saying how much he had supported the Circus, but giving no positive support at present. Jeanette Gates lined up with the Letter of Intent plan as did Mayor Holic. Gates gets a pat for reminding Council that should hear from the public before announcing their positions. The Mayor also asked questions that suggest that he wants to be sure the Letter of Intent reflects the Council’s wishes. PUBLIC COMMENTS Larry Ivey gave an articulate presentation pointing out the potential benefits to the community of allowing the Circus Foundation to hold events, such as concerts, fairs, etc. on the site, earning money for the airport and maintaining the integrity of the site. Ivey’s presentation mirrored ideas that Inside Venice has proposed for use of the Arena superstructure, covered in part with a canvas, in insideveniceflorida and on Inside Venice Florida on Facebook. Orlando Bevington, who has provided administrative leadership to the Circus Arts Foundation, pointed out that he felt the City had not been as helpful as he hoped, sometimes blocking revenue producing events. He specified a circus that had offered the Foundation $30,000 and wanted to use the Fair grounds near the Arena earlier in November. He reported the airport administrator insisted that a height survey was necessary to erect their tent. Chris Rozansky told Inside Venice that the basic problem was the request gave them only about a month for processing and that was not possible. He said, given time, they could have approved the height without a charge to the Circus or Foundation. A number of supporters including Peggy Martin, and a former Ringling Clown, talked about using the area to serve and attract children, including, for example a circus themed park, with a Carousel. Martin also suggested a miniature golf course, emphasizing that Venice could use more child centered activities. Inside Venice spoke to the idea that the Circus Arena had to raise revenue for the Airport since the rent from Sharky’s would soon go to the City, which is purchasing the small area of airport property that is partially involved. The airport received $140,000 in rent from Sharky’s. That is part of about $2million annually in revenues in 2012 and 2013. The airport has reserves of more than $5 million for operational and capital purposes. Most airport revenue comes from non-aeronautical uses, the City mobile-home park, apartments, restaurants, and the Venice Lakes Golf Course. The $140,000 rent from Sharky’s makes a ridiculous comparison with the estimated $500,000 rent the airport has suggested the Circus property is worth. Sharky’s is, by everybody’s estimate, a gold-mine on the beach, not likely to be worth less than a non-descript property on B. 41. We suggested that the City should use some planning consultation to decide what it wanted to develop in that part of the City which now has Commercial, residential and industrial uses, plus more. No coherent plan for growth is in place although the 2010 Comprehensive Plan called for such a study. If the City would decide what it wants, it could then receive proposals to fulfill the City’s goals. Instead their approach can result in a hodgepodge of development ideas, which will make establishing the fair market value very difficult. The idea of planning ahead we suggested did not seem to gain any traction. I expect we will see problems in Council deciding on proposals that will come in randomly. Mike Pachota, co-lease holder at Sharky’s finished up the afternoon by expressing his hope that Council would maintain the Circus heritage of Venice in whatever is the final disposition. That reflected the prevailing appeals from the public. BOTTOM LINE Jim Bennett was the only member to object to moving ahead with the proposal. The Mayor, correctly, I believe nipped the “sort of” voting in the bud after asking for those opposed. Workshops are supposed to be non-voting and this practice of asking for consensus is a distortion. The proposal will be voted on at the next Council meeting and seems sure to go ahead. Then in January the letter of intent request, itself, will be reviewed by Council, again in response to the Mayor saying he wants to be sure it reflects Council’s wishes.
Posted on: Mon, 25 Nov 2013 22:59:46 +0000
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