The City Commission casts about for a moniker for the part of Largo Central Park used by the Renaissance Festival and postpones a discussion of church sponsorships of city events.
By LORRI HELFAND
Published August 18, 2004
LARGO - Jugglers, jousters and fire-eaters haven't frolicked there for well over a year. But a section of Largo Central Park is still best known as "the former site of the Bay Area Renaissance Festival."
City leaders are thinking about marketing the site as a venue for a variety of outdoor festivals. But that's hard to do without a catchy name.
At Tuesday's meeting, city leaders couldn't come up with a new name, but they did agree that they needed to do so pretty soon. Meanwhile, the City Commission approved the use of Largo Central Park's former Renaissance Festival site as the location for Largo's Music Festival in April. The city expects the three-day event to cost about $80,000 and bring in about $90,000 in revenue.
At Commissioner Pat Gerard's suggestion, officials decided to see how the site works out for the music festival before making it a designated outdoor performance area.
The City Commission also decided to postpone changes to co-sponsorship and rental policies for Largo Central Park until they can be discussed at yet another work session. The issue was discussed at an Aug. 10 work session.
The subject was brought to the forefront this summer after the First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks co-sponsored the city's Fourth of July fireworks. Some residents were confused whether the event was a church- or city-sponsored event, and some city leaders wondered whether the line separating church and state had been crossed.
Resident J.B. Butler told the commission that the church sponsorship brought religion into the political arena, where it didn't belong.
"It is greatly disturbing to me that this fine group seems to make deals with churches to support a political event," Butler said.
In other business, the commission approved the city's strategic plan and its implementation. It includes steps to revitalize commercial corridors and activity centers, enhance community streets, expand parks, greenways and open spaces and reinvigorate neighborhoods.
Strategies for the plan were approved about a year ago, but it has taken a while for the commission to give its implementation the green light.
Mayor Bob Jackson said he was disturbed by potential costs for consultant fees to implement the plan. They are estimated at about $930,000 for fiscal years 2005 and 2006.
Gerard said the commission would be able to approve specific costs as they arise, but the commission needed to progress as soon as possible.
"We've had a hard time moving that sort of thing along in the past. As fast as we can move forward with that within financial constraints the better," Gerard said.
Gerard added that the plan would focus future funds for projects the city really wants and needs.
"If projects come up and they're not part of the program, we just say no," she said.
The commission also reviewed City Attorney Alan Zimmet's performance and authorized his annual salary increase from $98,280 to $103,194.
And on first reading, the commission agreed to appropriate an additional $40,000 to cover legal fees. The city previously budgeted $169,600 to cover legal fees through the city attorney's office. A second reading and public hearing on the issue is scheduled for Sept. 7.
The commission also approved a new fine schedule for reclaimed water, which could result in an estimated additional revenue of $3,000 for the city.
