The Committee of the Whole presentation by County Administrator Wes Moreno, his top assistant administrator, Debbie Bowers, and Moreno’s leadership was a disaster.
- Commissioner Lumon May said he only received the presentation materials on Wednesday. They were never posted on the county’s website for the public to review.
More alarming to the board was the Interlocal Agreement that Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves had already published, sent to the Pensacola City Council for its Aug. 13 meeting, and discussed at his Wednesday press conference. Moreno had never briefed the commissioners on it or asked for their input.
Mayor on the Line
Mayor Reeves called Thursday afternoon to tell me that he was surprised county staff hadn’t presented the agreement to commissioners earlier. He decided to pull it from the council’s Aug. 13 agenda to maintain a collaborative relationship with the county commission.
- The mayor reiterated that he saw the agreement as a way to show unity to potential bidders. Reeves emphasized that his withdrawal from the agenda is a gesture of respect to allow the commission time for deliberation.
The mayor instructed City Administrator David Stafford to notify the commissioners and county staff to ensure the city’s position is clearly understood as collaborative rather than defensive.
Grand Hotel Development
During the nearly two-hour discussion, commissioners brought up whether a hotel would be part of the redevelopment of the Pensacola Bay Center and surrounding property. Moreno said, “As far as the hotel, my understanding or what I took from the meeting was that the city was going to be working to purchase the hotel or work some arrangement out with the hotel next door (Grand Hotel/Crowne Plaza).”
- Mayor Reeves clarified the city’s stance on the Grand Hotel, dismissing rumors of a direct purchase. The city has no intention of buying the property, which has been closed since Hurricane Sally. He told me that private market forces are better suited to move the building forward.