Notes on the Pensacola city council’s discussion on the Vince Whibbs, Sr. Community Maritime Park at its committee of the whole meeting:
The Vince Whibbs Sr. Community Maritime Park’s pre-development budget and site plan were approved, as was a $50,000 pre-diversity study relating to minority businesses owners’ ability to get city contracts.
Maritime’s revised pre-development budgets for 2007 and 2008 were approved 7-2, with Donovan and Hall dissenting. Ron Townsend was absent.
First, DeSorbo asked if CMPA officials could, in the future, address the city manager before the Council. Then, Donovan said $977,000 has already been allocated for the park, and that there’s no financing in place for the project. DeSorbo said there is funding.
Nobles and Hall said much of the proposed $1.3-plus-million (for calendar year 2008) would have to be spent anyway.
Committee members also debated the recent Supreme Court decision involving CRA funds, and whether or not another county-wide referendum in necessary.
“I think we need to proceed,†Wiggins said. “We owe it to the citizens who voted for it.â€
Maritime’s preliminary site plans were also approved 8-1, with Donovan dissenting.
The committee approved, conceptually, the proposed plans for Phase One and the Ultimate Development Master plan.
Audience member Sherri Myers loudly voiced her concerns about the project not being ADA compliant, particularly on the park’s east side.
Read entire notes on INDaily