TOWN OF DUCK

MUNICIPAL PROPERTY MASTER PLAN STUDY COMMITTEE

REGULAR MEETING

March 8, 2004

 

The Municipal Property Master Plan Study Committee for the Town of Duck convened at the Duck Municipal Offices at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 8, 2004.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Chairman Paul Keller, Donna Black, Bob Fitchett, Avery Harrison, Charlie Pratt, Ed Sowinski, and Town Manager and Town Clerk Christopher J. Layton.

 

OTHERS PRESENT: Administrative Assistant Sandy Cady and Deputy Town Clerk Lori Kopec.

 

MEMBERS ABSENT: Jennifer Gilbreath was absent due to illnesses with her children.

 

The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Chairman Keller asked the Committee to review the minutes of the February 9, 2004 meeting for changes.  Charlie Pratt moved to approve the minutes as presented.  Avery Harrison seconded the motion.

 

Motion approved 6-0.

 

REVIEW OF INTERNET/NEWSLETTER QUESTIONNAIRE

 

Town Manager Layton wanted to show the Committee the Municipal Property Committee’s page on the website as well as the questionnaire.  He stated there have been 2 responses to date to the questionnaire without solicitation.  He stated the consultants would be providing items for the website page for the public to view as they become available.

 

Administrative Assistant Sandy Cady was recognized to speak.  Administrative Assistant Cady reviewed the Municipal Property Committee’s website page with the Committee and gave them an overview of how a person could navigate through the site as well as how the questionnaire could be filled out anonymously.  Ed Sowinski stated his home address on the website was incorrect.  Administrative Assistant Cady stated she would correct it.

 

Ed Sowinski asked if there was anywhere on the website that states when the Committee meets.  Town Manager Layton stated that it does show the dates under the Municipal Property Committee page.

 

Charlie Pratt suggested putting the term “open meetings” on their page so the public would know they are welcome to attend the meetings each month.  Administrative Assistant Cady stated she would add it.

 

Donna Black asked how the Committee would be able to view the completed questionnaires.  Town Manager Layton stated he would print them off and hand them out at the meetings.

 

DISCUSSION ON USES OF THE MUNICIPAL PROPERTY

 

Discussion on Values Related to the Property

 

Chairman Keller stated that this discussion is greatly needed for the Committee.  Town Manager Layton reviewed the three (3) aspects of the uses for the property.  The first aspect is the Committee’s vision, the second is the Committee’s goals and the third is the Committee’s values.  He stated that part of the contract with the consultant will include a vision statement.  He stated he wanted the Committee to take part in an exercise in the goals of the property.  Town Manager Layton started the exercise, getting the Committee involved in thinking about what was important to them for the property and having them ask and answer questions.  He then went on to discuss the values of prosperity, liberty, equality and community with the Committee.

 

Town Manager Layton reviewed with the Committee the goals they should come up with to work into the vision statement.   The Committee then discussed what they thought the goals for the property should be and what they thought the property could be used for.  Chairman Keller reminded the Committee during their discussion that there are only four (4) acres on the property that can be built on.

 

Donna Black stated she thought the discussions were very helpful.  Chairman Keller agreed.

 

Interim Uses (recommendations to Town Council)

 

Town Manager Layton stated that the Committee still needs to come up with recommendations to Town Council on the interim uses for the property.  He suggested limiting the access to the property near the Rodgers’ house but still letting citizens continue to park on the property that dine at Herron’s Restaurant.  Chairman Keller agreed and asked the other Committee members what else should be recommended.  Donna Black agreed that access to the property should be limited but to let citizens continue to park on the property.  Ed Sowinski stated that there is already a precedent set with the parking and felt there may be legal aspects with regard to liability.  Chairman Keller suggested setting a goal for the Committee after tourist season to try to get the vehicles off the portion of the property they are parking on.  He asked if holding off would be feasible.  Town Manager Layton stated that Council is looking for a policy with regard to parking.  He suggested coming up with a policy to let vehicles park there as long as they are not abandoned or left overnight.

 

Donna Black asked if something happens to someone who parks on the property, what would be the liability to the Town.  Town Manager Layton stated he didn’t feel there would be any liability issues unless it was negligence on the Town’s part.  Ed Sowinski asked if the use of the property would be an issue and suggested running it by the Town’s attorney. Town Manager Layton stated he would be glad to contact Town Attorney Ike McRee.  Charlie Pratt asked if Mr. Herron had any problems with citizens accessing his entrance to drive on the Town’s property.  Town Manager Layton stated he hasn’t spoken to him but plans to speak to him soon.  He also mentioned that mostly the employees of Herron’s park there.

 

Town Manager Layton stated he would like to recommend to Council the continuation of allowing parking and to keep the remainder of the property closed for general activity.  He stated that Council has authorized him to remove the trailer and shed from the property.  The Rodgers’ house will not be disturbed.  Charlie Pratt asked if there needs to be a timeline set for how long the parking will be allowed.  Town Manager Layton stated it could be put in the recommendation but is really not necessary. Chairman Keller recommended not putting up “No Parking” signs on the property.  Town Manager Layton thought it would be helpful to put up a couple of signs stating that the property is being master planned and have a link to the website.

 

Ed Sowinski moved to provide signage for the property that indicates it is under review for planning, that no specific action be taken relative to parking as has been done in the past and no access will be encouraged on other parts of the property.  Avery Harrison seconded the motion.

 

Motion carried 6-0.

 

List of Potential Uses

 

Town Manager Layton asked the Committee to fill out the questionnaire that was in their packets.   He asked that they turn in the questionnaire at the next meeting.  He stated the Committee is not ready to go into the details of the uses, but that they should get started on answering the questions.

 

DISCUSSION OF CLEAN UP OF CEMETERY AND SURROUNDING PROPERTY

 

Town Manager Layton stated that historical information and deed research by Administrative Assistant Cady was in their packets in regard to the Rodgers’ house.  In addition, staff had contacted the Department of Cultural Resources and they had responded stating that the Rodgers house does not have any historical value due to the deterioration.  He stated that articles from several books were also included in their packets that referenced the Rodgers house.  He stated that the house is an issue that needs a decision, but can be held off for the time being.  Donna Black asked if the Committee could give their gut reaction on whether to save the house or not.  Town Manager Layton asked for their gut reaction.  It was consensus to tear down the house but that the timbers should be saved.  Donna Black stated she had read that some of the timbers were from a broken boat.  Chairman Keller stated that there are only a few that are from the boat.

 

Ed Sowinski suggested not having a bulldozer knock the house down so that timbers and trim boards could be saved for other uses.  Town Manager Layton suggested getting recommendations from the consultants on which timbers to save. Chairman Keller suggested putting on the next agenda the cost of tearing down the Rodgers house and how it should be done.  Chairman Keller suggested waiting sixty (60) days after the consultants are on board to decide how the house should be torn down and what pieces to save. Charlie Pratt stated a storage area would have to be utilized to store the timbers.  Ed Sowinski & Chairman Keller suggested a small, climate controlled storage unit.

 

Town Manager Layton stated that the Committee needs to set a date to clean up the property, specifically around the cemetery, the land heading toward the house and cleaning out the interior of the house.  He suggested doing it as a committee and asking volunteers to help out.  Town Manager Layton stated he could have Waste Management drop off a dumpster to use for the disposal of the contents of the house.  Donna Black stated she would be happy to help go into the house and pull items out for disposal.  Town Manager Layton suggested the Committee set a date for the clean up.  Ed Sowinski suggested doing it on a Saturday morning.  Charlie Pratt stated that the weather will be a factor.  Chairman Keller stated it should be done before tourist season begins.  Ms. Black suggested doing it before Easter.  Mr. Sowinski suggested March 13, March 20 or March 27.  Chairman Keller stated he would be unavailable on March 20.  Mr. Sowinski asked if March 13 would be a good date.  The Committee agreed that, weather permitting, March 13 would be good.  The time for the clean up would be 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Mr. Sowinski and Town Manager Layton suggested bringing tools to help with the clean up.  Avery Harrison asked if trash bags should be brought as well.  Town Manager Layton stated the Town would provide the trash bags.  Ms. Black recommended wearing work gloves.

 

Town Manager Layton showed the Committee the fencing that was donated by Kellogg’s for the cemetery.  He asked if it was something that should be put on the property.  Avery Harrison, Donna Black and Ed Sowinski stated that they liked picket fencing better.  Chairman Keller directed Town Manager Layton to purchase picket fencing from Home Depot.

 

UPDATE ON PROPOSALS FOR CONSULTANT SERVICES

 

Town Manager Layton stated the Committee decided on one particular consultant service because they best met the desires of the Committee.  He stated he will be asking the consultant to provide two preferred options – one with space being set aside for the municipal building and the other being if another option is available for a municipal building, what would be in the spot where the original municipal building would have been.  He stated that having two options would be a good direction to take.  He stated that when he receives the final scope of work, he would provide a copy to the Committee.

 

Chairman Keller asked for any other thoughts before adjourning. 

 

Town Manager Layton stated he expects to receive a lot of questionnaires back on the uses for the property before the next meeting.  Donna Black asked if the Committee could get copies of the questionnaires before the next meeting to review.  Town Manager Layton stated he would be happy to give them out early.  He stated the consultant is planning to have specific public input sessions with comment cards given out after each session.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further discussion, Chairman Keller asked for a motion to adjourn.  Charlie Pratt moved to adjourn the meeting.  Bob Fitchett seconded the motion.

 

Motion carried 6-0.

 

The time was 3:50 p.m.