Chuck Coward recaps his accomplishments in Treasure Island, revisits reasons for resigning and talks about his future.
By KATHY SAUNDERS
Published May 2, 2004
TREASURE ISLAND - As Chuck Coward sees it, the roots of his resignation last week reach to the 2003 elections.
A mayoral candidate questioned Coward's leadership during the civil war over land use rules that pitted neighbors against their elected officials. Candidates who said they would represent the will of the voters ultimately won four of five commission seats.
Coward says working with the reconstituted panel has made him uncomfortable. Commissioners have undone some of his administration's work, and when they gave him a less than typical pay raise last month, that was the convincer. He's leaving June 2.
"I don't think it does anyone any good to argue about the direction of the community," Coward said Wednesday.
His bosses, the commissioners, uniformly expressed their disappointment with his decision.
Alan Bildz, whose unflattering evaluation of Coward last month included criticism of the city manager's personal appearance, said: "(Coward) thought he couldn't work with this commission. I think he could have."
Mayor Mary Maloof, Coward's staunchest supporter, fought back tears all day Wednesday.
"We have no debt in this city, we just got $50-million from the federal government for our bridge, we have one of the lowest tax rates in Pinellas County and we have happy, eager employees," Maloof said. "How could you ask for a better manager?"
Commissioners said they may hire an outside firm to search for Coward's replacement - a process they estimate could take three to six months. They also are looking for an interim manager to serve during that time. The issue is on their agenda for Tuesday night's 7 p.m. meeting at City Hall, 120 108th Ave.
Coward's resignation letter, which he read aloud at Tuesday's commission meeting, was a state of the city message.
He said the two fixed bridges leading to the Causeway Bridge are paid for and nearly complete, and the city is ready to select a contractor and begin building a $50-million drawbridge.
He told commissioners "the framework for an economic renaissance in the Treasure Island downtown area is in place and begging to be the focus of your future efforts.
"The city is virtually without debt, has a steady mill levy, a rising assessed valuation, sufficient reserves and a predictable and solid general fund."
In a subsequent interview, he outlined his specific troubles with the commission.
One of his favorite projects - the extension of the beach trail on the north and south ends - is in jeopardy because of a recent commission decision, Coward said.
A developer offered $150,000 in exchange for a parking area near the Ramada Inn at 12000 Gulf Blvd. The developer wanted to use the 23 parking spaces for an access easement to the condominiums planned for the hotel site.
The $150,000, Coward said, would have been used to extend the city's beach trail. But commissioners rejected the developer's request and adopted a resolution requiring that the city property remain a parking lot.
According to Coward, the trail was always proposed to go through that parking lot. Their decision, he said, kills the trail extension project.
Coward also was upset by the commission's request to modify the traffic bubble downtown. Since 107th Avenue/Central Avenue was reconfigured for the clock tower, residents and visitors have complained that the curves on both sides are too narrow and dangerous.
Architect Phil Graham is expected to make a presentation Tuesday about ways to straighten the road and remove some of the landscaping.
Commissioners' reactions to Coward's resignation didn't reflect these differences.
"I thought he was a very good city manager and he'll be hard to replace," Ed Gayton said.
"I got along magnificently with Chuck and I am completely happy with the way things are running," said Commissioner Richard Kraus. "We have a solid ship. Chuck leaves a list of accomplishments that will be difficult for anyone to match."
In their annual evaluations of the city manager completed last month, Kraus and Phil Collins rated Coward excellent or good on every item from his sense of humor to his accessibility and his budget techniques.
Maloof rated Coward excellent in nearly all categories and recommended that commissioners give him a 5 percent raise.
Collins suggested the manager donate some of his time in lieu of a pay raise. Ultimately, Coward got 3 percent to raise his salary to $97,335.
That was message enough for Coward, although he said the tide began to turn against him during last year's mayoral election.
Candidate George Makrauer, who ran unsuccessfully against Maloof and then moved to Celebration near Orlando, has remained a thorn in Coward's side.
"I think Chuck Coward's resignation just after his performance evaluation reveals his major shortcomings," Makrauer said last week. "Had he been cooperative in nature and practice, he would have accepted the new commission's critical comments in his evaluation as improvement opportunities. Instead, his resignation said to the commission, "I don't care that you represent the majority of the residents. I do things either my way or no way.' "
In particular, Makrauer believes Coward should have advised his bosses against passing the new height and density ordinances that later were thrown out in court.
Coward said he has no regrets about his or his administration's record since 1997.
"Do I say I was perfect? No," he said. "But I don't remember anything that we did wrong."
Before he leaves for a six-month sabbatical, Coward said he will present a proposed budget to the commission. The city's $20-million 2004-2005 budget would take effect Oct. 1.
In June, Coward and his wife, Carol, plan to attend a family reunion in Orlando and eventually go to their condominium in Breckenridge, Colo. Before returning to their house in Treasure Island, Coward said he plans to attend the October conference of the International City/County Management Association in San Diego.
"I'll be getting my 35-year pin," he said.
CHUCK COWARD'S TENURE
Six months after arriving in Treasure Island in 1997, City Manager Chuck Coward compiled a list of challenges the city faced. The Causeway Bridge replacement was at the top. Also among his priorities was land use, and his staff's recommendations on development prompted a citizen uprising that cost commissioners their jobs and led to Coward's resignation.
THE BRIDGE
When he leaves in June, Coward will have all but completed the design process to begin construction of a $65-million bridge.
BEACH RENOURISHMENT
Sunset Beach was renourished and remains on the county's schedule for more sand. Coward initiated a beach stewardship study. A sand-saving device called a groin was installed on the north end of the beach to prevent further erosion.
DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION
The city has spent more than $1-million in grant money to revive the business district.
POLICE REVIEW
After nearly firing the police chief over low morale in the department, Coward initiated an outside study of the department and oversaw a revision of the personnel structure. Hiring practices were revised to attract more candidates. A K-9 unit was established.
RECREATION
Paradise Island's Treasure Bay should break even for the first time this year. Coward predicts that improvements of the golf and tennis facilities should make the center profitable in a year or so. He hired a golf pro last year.
SERVICE
Customer service and employee morale were poor when Coward arrived. Shortly after he took over, the city's employee union disbanded. Coward established employee recognition programs and was successful in upgrading benefit packages for city workers.
PRESERVATION
The city purchased a former bar on Sunset Beach and other parcels at the southern entrance to the community and developed beachfront parks and pavilions.
LAND USE
On that initial list of challenges, Coward predicted the city would face pressure to change land uses as the city approached a built-out future. New land development regulations that would have allowed 100-foot buildings on the beachfront led to the biggest political shake-up in the city's history. As he leaves office in five weeks, Coward is part of that fallout.
