But sparks fly on airport building
By Tammy Sue Struble
What started as an upbeat Zephyrhills City Council meeting on Monday evening, Feb. 28, ended in a bit of fireworks and tense moments between city council members.
The meeting was moving forward until the council arrived at Item 5: Progress Energy – Spec Building Update.
City Manager Steve Spina explained at the previous City Council meeting that members had agreed to work on a project in 2008 with Progress Energy to build a spec building at the Airport Industrial Park. No ground has been broken, yet. The private contractor hired at that time to construct and market the building was CLS Zephyrhills LLC.
Also, at the last Feb. 14 city council meeting, it was voted that the line of credit for $400,000 be extended for one year at a cost of $2,000 to the city and $2,000 to CLS. The motion passed with three in favor of the extension and one against, council member Manny Funes.
Council president Lance Smith is a part of that company, but was not on the city council at the time the company was hired. He recused himself and handed the gavel to council member Jodi Wilkeson.
During various discussions of the spec building on Monday, council member Manny Funes raised some questions about the project. It was clear Funes had an issue with Smith being a part of CLS.
Funes also questioned the contract with CLS and indicated the council had not been notified enough about the project; specifically, that the project was at a standstill.
Spina assured Funes that the issue had been on the calendar and budget. With more intense questioning Spina stated at one point, “Manny, do you want me to sit down and read the budget to you?”
Funes answered, “I don’t want you to do that.”
Added Spina: “It’s your responsibility to read the budget.”
Funes, upset at the stalled project and lack of notification, said “There was a time when you realized that that project was not going forward. And, Lance, along with his people, knew exactly what was taking place … after six months his schedule says that project was supposed to be complete. Nothing was said.”
Mr. Smith responded, “you’re complaining about us … not going ahead with the building, Manny; so you’re saying you’d rather have a building out there that’s unoccupied right now? After six months, the economy tanked.”
After the fireworks died down, it was decided there would be more discussion in the future for the spec/ shell building. The council is still waiting on Progress Energy’s answer regarding extending the agreement for construction.
Earlier on the agenda, Ryan Pickett’s family was recognized. Pickett, a Zephyrhills High graduate, is a member of the NFL’s Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers Although Ryan was not in attendance, father Rubin was at the meeting to accept a plaque and proclamation from the city.
Zephyrhills also honored the Girl Scouts, who are celebrating the organization’s 99th anniversary.
