Ordinance 2001-137 - Laserfiche WebLink

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4. Completion of Land Development Regulations 5. Impact Fees Ordinance Implementation 6. Storm water Improvements 7. Human Resources Issues including: a. Job Descriptions and Performance Evaluations b. Federal and State l\landates c. Manual of Policies & Procedures and Benefits ~.,'." ~~c.. As you know from recent publicity, the city has entered into an Option Agreement to purchase the property on Collins Avenue that houses the Tony Roma's Restaurant. We have the funds in our capital budget to purchase the property. This arrangement will clearly provide for a fine city hall at the most economical terms possible for Sunny Isles Beach. In addition to being appropriate in size, the property will provide the city with substantial income to help offset the debt service on the project. The net result will be a project of approximately half the cost of the first proposed city hall project. The Tony Roma's Restaurant is desirous of maintaining their identity on the property as a tenant of the city government. It is anticipated that they will remain in a separate independent building on the southern portion of the property. This will result in Tony Roma's maintaining their taxable status. Therefore, the city will not lose any tax revenue from the Tony Roma's Restaurant. In addition to that tax revenue, the city will gain a more lucrative revenue stream from a new lease with the company providing 8% of their gross profits, with a minimum of $240,000 per year. The revenue to the city government generated by this arrangement is far in excess of that which the city would gain by that property being developed under the zoning code. The city hall we envision will comfortably serve our citizens and accommodate our operating departments. Because of meetings recently held with library officials of the State and County, we are not ruling out the inclusion of a library within the city hall. The building will have the potential for future expansion to meet the needs of our growing city. One other significant reason to move forward on this project now is history. The history in this city has been that once proper land development regulations are put in place, almost immediately the property values more than double. This was the case with the east side of Collins Avenue, and luckily the city had the foresight to secure the property for the Gilbert Samson Oceanfront Park prior to that occurring. This is a very similar situation with the Tony Roma's Restaurant propertY. We expect that once the land development regulations for the west side of Collins Avenue are put in place, property values on the west side of the street may substantially increase and render our ability to secure a financially-feasible site for a city hall impossible. Please realize that moving forward with the purchase of the Tony Roma's Restaurant property is an important policy decision of the city commission. The professional staff is obligated to fully implement this directive. However, it is also the staffs responsibility to let the Commission know what financial or legal constraints we may have. The most significant influence that the city government can have on the future of our city is the acquisition of major open space. The city has purchased four parks including the Gilbert Samson Oceanfront Park, the Golden Shores Pocket Park, the passive park and the active park, since the incorporation, and the Pier Park has been turned over to the City from Miami-Dade County. The rationale for all this is simple - tourism, influx of families, and increased employment opportunities within the city limits. We must have open space and municipal areas that provide room to breathe. In moving forward on the City's agenda and in addition to the projects already described in this message, this budget includes funding for the following projects: Budgct Mcssagc