UPDATE 3-29-11
Mr. Ramiccio reminded me of the following--
From Tom Ramiccio:
For historical sakes, I served from 1995-2001. I was off the commission when the deal took place to Les Evans.
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There is a history to this parking lot that now has yellow tape around it. It goes back to the days of R&R (Ramiccio and finally Romano). It goes back to the days when deals were cut for friends that brought on law suits and a total lack of trust of city government-- a little more than a handful of years ago. It goes back to the days of Jeff Clemens when he Chaired the CRA. Some of those who supported these candidates are the ones complaining today and continue to denigrate ethical people and commissioners trying to do the right thing, to make the correct decisions for all the residents of Lake Worth, not just a favored few.
Cory O'Gorman, former Director of the CRA, presented the parking lot to Leslie Evans. The City of Lake Worth sold this property in March 2005 to Evans, an attorney, and friend of the R&R's. Why would anyone sell a downtown parking lot? They hurried to get the Contract signed one day before citizens were to vote on a charter amendment (the ink was not even dry) that would require voter approval for the sale of parks, downtown property and waterfront land west of State Road A1A. This was corruption beyond anything experienced before in the city. Six months before in September 2004, the Commission did everything within its creative power and then some to get the initiative off the ballot, violating their own rules some say as well as Sunshine Laws, canceling the 2nd hearing using the excuse of Hurricane Frances.
It sold for $564,000 with Mayor Romano signing the Contract. Evans wanted to develop this piece and construct 9,000 square feet of retail space and nine lofts. He never did. Evans' development intent languished and the city residents started using it for parking.
On December 3, 2010, two women from Palm Beach bought the property from Evans for $375,000 for investment purposes, and formed a corporation, Lucerne Holdings LLC. They roped off the lot and no one is allowed to park there. They're investors and want to make money.
The new owners have now finalized negotiations with City Manager Susan Stanton for the City to lease the parking lot, length of lease uncertain although eventually it will all come out in the Sunshine, as they want to sell it within 5 years. Quoted as saying, "We never should have sold that parking lot," Stanton will install a parking pay station on the lot to recoup the money being paid on the Lease.
As this lot is owned by a private entity, there always seems to be other ways to skin a cat when it comes to getting your way--paid parking downtown. This is opening the door and just the beginning for pay stations on city parking lots. The Finance Advisory Board voted 6/1 against paid parking downtown and so did the City Commission. But the City Manager's Budget called for it.
The Commission has abdicated its responsibility and power to the City Manager, so
From the latest City Manager's Report:
601 LUCERNE PARKING LOT UPDATE.
The parking lot lease has been sent to the owners for execution. Staff is proceeding with making necessary arrangements for improvements to the site such as resealing and re-striping of the lot and installation of the parking meter and a sign.
Wait, how is it possible for the City to enter a lease without the issue ever going before the Commission for a vote? Along similar lines, this recently occurred with the decision being made to demolish the shuffleboard courts without it ever appearing at a meeting (supposedly it will be added to an agenda but why hold your breath?)
ReplyDeleteDespite the ongoing protests by the public to halt these out-of-the-Sunshine proceedings, they seem to be increasing with an alarming frequency. Soon all City business will be conducted as a unilateral decision by the City Manager, one-on-one meetings with the Commissioners or "executive sessions."
This City belongs to its citizens. Unless more than the usual handful of people show up at Commission meetings and speak up, this behavior will remain the status quo.
Well stated, Jessica.
ReplyDeleteFor a little more background on this, The contract to Evans was signed on March 7. On March 8 we4 had our general election with Romano running against Mark Drautz, John Jordan and Panagioti Tsolkas.
Drautz: 38.29%
Jordan: 12.43%
Romano: 47.93%
Tsolkas: 1.35%
Romano and Drautz then went to a run-off on March 22 and Drautz got 55.63% of the vote.
Forgot to mention the Charter Amendment:
ReplyDeleteIt passed on March 8, 2005--
Yes: 57.38%
No: 42.62%
You can see where corrupt politics had a big hold in our City just by one side that got 43% of the vote.
I have a hard time believing that our city manager with her 17 years of municipal experience in Florida is apparently so ignorant of the laws which govern local government actions. Unless of course it is a willful violation, then it might be a criminal infraction.
ReplyDeleteI thought things like this had to come before the commission. Isn't that true?
ReplyDeleteWe need to e-mail our Commissioners and ask why they are allowing parking meters in downtown Lake Worth.
ReplyDeleteActually It was under my chairmanship and not Jeff Clemens that we initiatiated these sales in conjunction with purchasing other land off of the main streets for parking. Cory O'Gorman was the Director and I was the Chair. Jeff Clemens joined the board later as a member.
ReplyDeleteOur thinking as a Board was that surface parking on the main drag is not compatible to a thriving downtown and parking lots should be behind buildings.
Yep we gave our "friend" (not!) a heck of a deal, later flipping this property for a huge er um gain? Wait it was a loss. The only reason why we did not get the beautiful proposed building built by Mr. Evans was the lawsuits which stopped development and with that time lost, the market tanked.
What was the conspiracy again? Developers making huge profits via friends on the CRA. That's funny but mostly sad. Another missed opportunity was what that parking lot represents now and even worse we have to pay for it again!!
Chris Fleming
Ideally, parking lots behind buildings would be desirable but Lake and Lucerne are unique streets. The tale has it that the CRA back in those days tried to force a little lady into selling her property behind the Chamber so that the city could use it as a parking lot? What was that all about?
ReplyDeleteI agree. The lawsuits did hold up development on that property and the market tanked. If the CRA had not gone around their own process regarding this property with it not being on the Surplus list, a law suit would not have been initiated.
Lynn, the little old lady story was a complete fabrication which by the way went a long way with me to sour my attitude towards involvement on boards and politics in this city. That little ole lady was used and paraded to a commission meeting to falsely make a mockery of what was an above board, above market, and "as is" cash offer to her. There was no pressure on her and no eminent domain discussion. Very simply an offer was made with the choice to accept or negotiate acceptable terms or reject and if rejected then there would be no further discussion unless she initiated it.
ReplyDeleteThe rest of the story is fabrication and what turned out to be the "using" of a very nice lady for political purposes.
Chris Fleming
I know this because I was the one negotiating all of the contracts and making all contact with the individual owners. And by the way my record in commericial real estate is flawless after 27 years. No investigations, nothing but long term relationships.
It doesn't make any difference what "side" you were on that lady was used instead of advised.
Who was on the Commission then? Who used her?
ReplyDeleteThe Commission was Romano,Egly,Lowe,Burns and McKinnon. The person orchestrating the exploitation of the little old lady was Annabeth Carson. I actually listened to Annabeth prior to that but would never trust her again afterwards. Another example of people I want nothing to with and that is ANYONE and no matter their view point, that feels the need to lie, exploit or cheat in the name of their cause. And I am well aware it happens on all sides of an issue in our little City.
ReplyDeleteChris
Thanks, Chris. This was just before my day...I was just getting interested in LW politics then. I have heard this story, by numerous people, who say that it is true. So, I guess if we are to assume that it is false, then it just shows you how people believe a lie. A lie will always be believed by some people. A lie will become the "new truth." Politics has a way of changing one's perspective on an issue, however. We tend to believe our friends without checking out the facts. I doubt seriously if Exline would have been in a law suit without believing he was correct.
ReplyDeleteLynn, I have no doubt Mr. Exline felt he was correct. Its just that I don't not think he was correct and neither did the courts.
ReplyDeleteI imagine that parking lot will sit vacant for years along while we citizens have to endure private enterprise paid parking now, which is absolutely rediculous and so far from the entent of the CRA Board prior to the lawsuit. And that evil developer Mr. Evans lost big time on that deal for that property and the former First Union site. And of course so did our City. Ahh the politics of stagnancy in our City is overwhelming.
Ever hear the one about how The City Of Lake Worth SUED the State of Florida not to have to take over that aweful beach front property between our current Municipal Beach and Sloans Curve? Yep we spent City money way back when to force the State NOT to give us that yucky ocean front land. I guess somethings will just never change for our eclectic little town. Seems our leaders have alwayt been a little off :)
Chris
Chris--apparently a lot of facts are in dispute. I would love to buy you breakfast so that we can get to know each other better and together perhaps we can work together to move the city forward.
ReplyDeleteSo, how about you, Lynn, Betty and myself having breakfast asap--this weekend before the street painting festival--perhaps a place like Pesagus. Let me know.
Ron Exline
Sure Ron, give me call 561 707 5120. I am with my 12 year old son all weekend but gjve a call and I'll meet to chat.
ReplyDelete