MINUTES FOR A SPECIAL MEETING OF
THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DELAND
HELD ON MONDAY MARCH 14 2011 AT 5
15 P
M
CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS
120 SOUTH FLORIDA AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Apgar at 5
15 p
m
Mayor Apgar stated that this Special Meeting was called for the purpose of discussing Earl
Brown Park and Spec Martin Stadium improvements However Mayor Apgar advised that late
last week he
was
asked to prepare
he will read the Proclamation this
a
Proclamation for Stetson Model Senate
evening
and present it later this week
Day
during
He stated that
the Model Senate
Z
Z
y
Z
program
O
V
Mayor Apgar submitted for the record a letter received from Brian Hill in favor of the proposed
park improvements
ROLL CALL
Commissioner Charles Paiva
Present
Commissioner Vonzelle Johnson
Present
Commissioner Phil Martin
Present
Commissioner
Present
Mayor
Leigh Matusick
Apgar
Robert F
Present
ALSO PRESENT Michael P Pleus City Manager Darren J Elkmd City Attorney Julie A
Hennessy City Clerk Auditor William E Ridgway Chief of Police Dale Arrington Assistant
City Manager Keith Riger Public Services Director Kevin Lewis Finance Director Michael
Grebosz Assistant to the City Manager Maria Becker Executive Assistant members of the
public and press
PRESENTATIONS ADDED TO THE AGENDA
1
Proclamation re Stetson Model Senate Day
Proclamation
Whereas Stetson University annually hosts a model Senate program for students to
experience participation in government and
Whereas this year marks the 40 Annual Floyd M Riddick Model United States Senate
which is being held March 17 18 19 2011 at Stetson University in DeLand Florida and
Whereas over the years members of Congress have appeared at the model senate to
provide students with a real life perspective on the workings of the federal government and
Whereas the Stetson University Model United States Senate is a unique and creative
program designed to duplicate the legislative atmosphere of the United States Senate and
Whereas through programs such as this we can prepare our young people to become
better citizens and leaders for tomorrow and
Whereas this program gives young people a realworld experience in the operation of the
legislative branch of our national government and
Whereas it is fitting and appropriate that we recognize Stetson University for the quality
education and real life experience it has provided to participants in this program over the past 40
years
Now therefore I Robert F Apgar Mayor of the City of DeLand do hereby proclaim
March 17 18 and 19 2011 as
Floyd M Riddick Model U
S Senate Days
in the City of DeLand and urge all citizens to extend congratulations and best wishes to Stetson
University on its 40 Anniversary of the Annual Floyd M Riddick Model States Senate and
commend them on this program as a worthwhile and beneficial attempt to educate tomorrow
s
leaders
Done and
proclaimed
this 14
th
day of March 2011
s Robert F Apgar M
ayor
Attest
s Julie A Hennessy City Clerk
Auditor
Mayor Apgar read the Proclamation
NEW BUSINESS
1
Consideration re Earl Brown Park and Spec Martin Stadium Improvement Proiect
Mr Pleus reported that last year during the budget workshops the City Commission discussed
needed improvements in Earl Brown Park to include a new senior center During this period of
constrained revenue the Commission has been focused on maintaining current facilities
reducing operating and maintenance costs and improving our efforts to retain and create new
living wage jobs This project would do all of these things and is detailed in this request for
Commission action
One element of the Earl Brown Park improvements includes improvements needed for Spec
As the Commission is aware Stetson University has been reviewing the
Martin Stadium
of
possibility
introducing
football and lacrosse into the Stetson Athletic
Program
Should
Stetson University move forward with creating a football program the improvements needed at
Spec Martin Stadium include a new press box additional seating locker rooms existing locker
room upgrades parking improvements sound system score board and lighting As this is the
s facility the City would need to make the improvements
City
Staff has been working on construction estimates and developing an RFP for an architect to
update the
Earl Brown Park master
plan That bid was released recently the results of which
should be ready in June with site elevations locations for improvements and more detailed cost
estimates Improvements to Earl Brown Park would include a new senior center increased in
size from 10
000
sq ft to 15
000 sq ft pavilion upgrades basketball courts landscaping
stormwater and
amphitheater
parking
Staff estimates that the total improvements to Earl
Brown Park inclusive of the Stadium would be 5
6 million These improvements and rationale
for them
are
outlined below
Ordinarily we would consider such improvements during the annual budget workshops
However in order to meet the timeline to join the Pioneer Football League by August 2013
Stetson needs to hire a coach by May of 2011 to recruit players build oncampus improvements
and build the program
Mr Pleus stated that this item focuses on the following Strategic Plan areas
High Value Job Creation Retention and Expansion New Business Development Foster
Collaboration and Partnerships
Preserving Sense of Community Promote Additional Investment
Preparing for the FutureSustainability
Mr Pleus indicated that the total cost of these improvements is estimated at 700
600 This is
5
a staff estimate based upon the elements included
To pay for these improvements staff is
proposing the use of grants impact fees additional rental income and general fund as follows
Total Estimated Cost of
Improvements
Less Grants
Less
Impact
Fees
Total Amount to be Financed
Annual Debt Service
20
Years at 3
5
Payment
260
000
000
35
000
25
000
73
000
127
Additional Rental Income
Annual
Impact
700
6
5
00
500
1
000
000
350
750
3
700
Fees
Stetson
General Fund
Staff notes that Stetson
s commitment was averaged over the 20year term of the loan and
naming rights The actual annual general fund commitment in the
initial years would be in the range of 150
000 to 175
000
does not include 25 of
As background Mr Pleus stated the following
Earl Brown Park Improvements
The improvements to Earl Brown Park have been needed for some time The Sanborn
Center itself was built in the late 1960s and the City is facing needed improvements in the
estimated cost range of 500
000 600
000 Additionally the layout of the facility does
not allow a great degree of flexibility for events and activities A more modern energy
efficient facility would cost less to maintain and increase revenue if it can be divided
andor aggregated depending upon the size of the event or activity The proposed new
facility would be 50 larger than the present one at 15
000 sq ft This will enable the
City to allow for more events and small conferences at the facility and increase rental
revenue Staff is proposing that the new facility be aligned along the stormwater pond to
provide a better event venue for events such as weddings The pond should also be given
a name e
g Lake Earl to increase marketability
The basketball courts are in a state of disrepair and need to be completely redone to avoid
tripping
hazards and other
injuries
Staff notes that if the two courts are co located it
would reduce maintenance and provide space for additional activities in the park such as
volleyball
and
possibly
an
amphitheater
The pavilions and restrooms are also in disrepair To reduce maintenance and increase
security staff is recommending a co located configuration where the restrooms and
pavilions are together Additionally to enhance security the park needs additional
lighting Ancillary to these elements would be improvements to parking landscaping and
stormwater
Spec Martin Stadium
Stetson University has advised staff that it is strongly considering football and lacrosse
Approximately 20 months ago Stetson created a few committees to study changes that could be
made to increase
enrollment and improve retention and campus vibrancy
The committees
recommended that football and lacrosse be studied and considered Stetson hired a consultant to
study the feasibility and impact of adding these programs The analysis showed that adding
these programs would not only be feasible but would be the best course of action to increasing
enrollment and improving retention Increased enrollment and retention provide net revenue to
the University to devote to its highest strategic priorities The implementation of these programs
would also have a substantial economic impact to the DeLand community
To accommodate these new programs Stetson would need to construct significant oncampus
field and field house improvements totaling approximately 6 million In order to accommodate
the program the
University
would need to hold the games at
Spec
Martin Stadium
The
University has requested that the City make a commitment to the improvements needed at Spec
Martin Stadium These improvements include a new 3
500 square foot press box 300 premium
seats initially 2
200 square foot traininglocker room upgrades to the existing locker room a
new
score
board lighting and sound system
These improvements are estimated to cost 2
million
Rationale
Given the commitment the City would be making to the overall Earl Brown Park and Spec
Martin improvements it is important to note why this would be a good investment for the
community Quality of life is a corner stone of what cities do for their communities Whether
s providing public safety or leisure services these elements play a critical role in the economic
it
vitality of the community and quality of life for its residents There have been several studies
citing the economic benefit of sports and recreation to communities by increasing retail sales
property values and creating new jobs
Over the past few years the City has prioritized the maintenance and efficiency of its facilities
due to the financial constraints present
This strategy will ensure
infrastructure degrade to the point where it does not add value to
that we do not let existing
our
community
This new
strategy of Sustainability will ensure the services we provide are at a quality level and add value
to our community Earl Brown Park is our flagship park and has deteriorated to the point where
the
City
needs to invest in its modernization
This investment will ensure a quality place of
leisure for residents and visitors alike and will allow the City to offer more programs which will
increase revenue to help pay for the improvements
The Sanborn Center operates a variety of programs to approximately 31
000 people per year
However the facility is only rented about 60 of the time available
Currently the facility
generates about 22
000 per year That figure should easily double with the proposed project
The facility as currently designed does not allow a lot of flexibility as it is currently laid out and
the
City
loses
opportunities
every
year
due
to
its
limitations
Additionally staff is
recommending that the new building be relocated along the pond to provide better vistas for
events such as weddings which will increase the facility
s marketability
The pavilions and restrooms need to be modernized and co located to reduce maintenance costs
and increase
security
The basketball courts are currently in poor condition There are several risers that provide for
tripping hazards The northerly court is sloped which creates a hazard that could cause injury
Both courts could be located on the southerly court site to provide for ease of maintenance The
new courts would be constructed of a new material that will reduce
injuries This would open
up the northerly site for another activity such as volleyball or even an amphitheater
Along with these improvements would come landscape upgrades parking and stormwater
A variety of studies have shown the economic impact of sport and leisure activities One such
study was prepared by the Washington Economics Group Inc in July 2005 and shows that sport
and leisure activities enhance business recruitment and retention increase property values and
increase tourism
adding
revenue
and retail sales
There is a substantial economic benefit to Stetson
football and lacrosse to their athletic program
Given the investment the City would
make at Spec Martin Stadium it is important to reiterate that impact Staff worked with the East
Coast Central Florida Regional Planning Council to prepare an economic impact analysis for
Stetson Football and Lacrosse This study shows that as a result of the investment Stetson and
the City would make the benefits would be as follows
7
Year
Economic
Impact
to
the
64 million
Community
Athletic
Department
Additional Room
Jobs
Nights
29
Per Year
350
New Students
368
Staff notes that the study does not address construction jobs and impacts to local businesses as a
implementation of this program There will also be some additional University
result of the
faculty
and staff
jobs
but that is yet to be
officially
determined
Additionally there is the
possibility that Deland will be able to bid on tournament games and other events at Spec Martin
Stadium that we cannot presently accommodate
It should be noted that the community will benefit further as this is a community facility and host
to DeLand High School Football Renovations to the stadium would boost the economic impact
of
high
school football
Although the economic impact of high school football has not been
studied anecdotally we know from our most recent experiences that DeLand High School
football fosters a great sense of community pride and certainly has a significant economic
impact
In Conclusion
The Earl Brown Park Improvement project will generate a significant and undeniable economic
impact to our community by creating new jobs increasing community pride increasing students
at the University improving campus vibrancy keeping students here on the weekend increasing
revenue for local businesses improving quality of life and redeveloping an area of our
community
Staff has not developed nor has the City Commission considered or approved the annual budget
for FY 11
12 As a result it was recommended that the City Commission approve the project
subject to appropriation in the FY 11
12 Annual Budget An affirmative vote would make this
project a top priority for inclusion in the recommended Annual Budget It is also recommended
that the City Commission direct staff to work out a use agreement with Stetson for approval at
the first
meeting
in
May
2011
Mr Elkind stated that he has analyzed possible conflicts of interest on behalf Commissioner
Matusick and Commissioner Johnson With respect to Commissioner Johnson Mr Elkind stated
his conclusion that Commissioner Johnson does have a voting conflict of interest with regard to
the issue on tonight
s agenda and pursuant to Florida Statute he is prohibited from voting
Mr Elkind stated his conclusion that
although he may participate in the discussion
Commissioner Matusick does not have a voting conflict of interest with regard to the issue on
s agenda the Statute places upon her an affirmative obligation to vote
tonight
I Vonzelle Johnson hereby disclose that on March 14 2011
a A measure came or will come before my agency which check one
inured to my special private gain or loss
inured to the special gain or loss of my business associate
inured to the special gain or loss of my relative
X inured to the special gain or loss of Stetson University by whom I am retained or
inured to the special gain or loss of
which is the parent
organization or subsidiary of a principal which has retained me
b
The measure before my agency and the nature of my conflicting interest in the
measure is as follows
I am a grant employee of Stetson University
Dr Wendy Libby President of Stetson University Harlan Paul Chair of the Board of Trustees
for Stetson University and Jeff Altier Director of Athletics for Stetson University explained
that the idea of starting football and lacrosse programs came to the Board of Trustees as a
strategy to increase enrollment and retention and to avoid the weekend flight of students Mr
Paul stated that the Board of Trustees looked at cost effect on reputation for academic rigor and
consistency
with the
s priorities
University
The Board authorized a study by the National
Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics to examine the feasibility of Division I non
scholarship
football
Mr Paul stated that he was struck by the parallels between Stetson
University and the City of DeLand in the analyses to be conducted by both entities i
e long
term financial effects of the program how the program will serve the overall mission
strategic
plan of both entities how the program will affect the quality of life of both the Stetson
community and the DeLand community as a whole
Jeff Altier explained that the program will benefit not just Stetson University but also DeLand
High School and the City of DeLand He explained that this is the correct time to pursue this
program because the Pioneer Football League wants to expand Mr Altier briefly reviewed the
Pioneer Football
League
and its current member schools
He stated that the Pioneer Football
League has told Stetson University they enthusiastically await Stetson
s application for
membership so he is confident that Stetson will be admitted to the League He explained that
s timeline is very tight in order to be ready to play for the 2013 season
Stetson
Mr Pleus reiterated staff
s analysis of why making the suggested improvements to Earl Brown
Park will benefit the community i
e the project will generate a significant and undeniable
economic impact to our community by creating new jobs increasing community pride
increasing revenue for local businesses improving quality of life maximizing the City
s assets
neighborhood revitalization sustainability and a 12 to 1 return on our investment Mr Pleus
gave further information
regarding
the
study by
the
Washington
Economics
Group
Inc in
July
i
2005 as those findings relate to the beneficial economic impact of sports and recreation on
communities
Public Comment
The following persons spoke in favor of the Stetson University FootballLacrosse programs and
the Earl Brown Park and Spec Martin Stadium Improvement Project
Hyatt Brown 213 Riverside Drive Ormond Beach member of the Stetson University
Board of Trustees
Jim Dreggors PO Box 1344 DeLand
Earl Ziebarth 2056 Pennsylvania Drive DeLand member of the DeLand High School
Bulldog Boosters
Derek Jansante 421 North Woodland Blvd Unit 6249 President of Stetson University
Student Government Association
Bo Davenport 903 South Adelle Avenue DeLand
Camille Tessitore King 1109 East University Avenue DeLand member of Stetson
University faculty and Chair of Athletics Committee
Gus Gibbs 321 East Pennsylvania Avenue DeLand
Brent Nelson 126 East Lucerne Circle stated that he represents the Central Florida
Sports Commission which is an economic development based agency in Volusia County
representing six 6 different governments in Central Florida whose mission is to bring
sports visitors and events to the region He stated that the proposed improvements would
provide an opportunity to host high school and college State championship games for
various sports as well as other events three to five events per year is an attainable goal
He stated that the improvements would provide a very positive economic impact to the
community
The following person spoke in opposition to the Stetson University FootballLacrosse programs
and the Earl Brown Park and Spec Martin Stadium Improvement Project
William R Nylen 687 East Kentucky Avenue DeLand member of the Stetson
University faculty spoke in opposition to proposal citing concerns that it will harm
Stetson reputation for academic excellence and stating that more funds should be
s
directed toward academic programs and faculty salaries rather than athletics
Rick Hall Parks and Recreation Director stated that the new turf in Spec Martin and Conrad
Park should hold up well to the increased use if care is taken with its maintenance He stated that
if the City opens the fields to other events he may need more staff to handle the increased
preparation duties With regard to the proposed improvements to the
maintenance and field
Wayne G Sanborn Activities Center Mr Hall stated that the City is falling short in its ability to
provide quality programs to its senior residents due to the limitations of the current facility He
stated that in addition to increased programs for seniors the facility could be rented for weddings
and small conferences or even used by Stetson for pre or postgame activities
The City Commission discussed the following with regard to the proposed improvements affect
on the turf in the stadium the degree of possibility that Stetson may not be admitted to the
Pioneer League and the location of
an
amphitheater
downtown
vs
Earl Brown Park
It was
noted that the idea of making improvements to Earl Brown Park was first discussed during last
s budget
year
and
strategic planning workshops
well before Stetson
University began discussing
the idea of
football program
The City Commission noted that the proposed improvement
project is important for economic development and the longterm stability of the community
Further the proposed project touches on all points of the City
s Strategic Plan
a
There being no further discussion a motion was made by Commissioner Matusick to state the
City Commission
s support for the project and to make this project a top priority for inclusion in
the recommended Annual Budget and to direct staff to work out a use agreement with Stetson
for approval at the first meeting in May 2011 Commissioner Paiva seconded the motion which
carried by a unanimous vote Commissioner Johnson abstaining
Mr Pleus reviewed the next steps work out the 20 year use agreement with Stetson University
make the improvement project a top priority in the recommended budget work on concept
planning for the park and begin the grant application process
Dr Wendy Libby thanked the City Commission for the clear and careful way they considered
this proposal
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6
46 p
m
G ki
lie A Hennessy MMC
i
J
City
Clerk
Auditor