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Commission meeting unexpectedly bland

Some residents expected discord as new commissioners were sworn in.

By CRISTINA SILVA
Published April 1, 2007

ST. PETE BEACH - The antagonists were sworn in with little fanfare during last week's City Commission meeting.

For weeks, rumors swirled that protesters would somehow try to keep newly elected Commissioners Linda Chaney and Harry Metz, who both fought the city on development issues in recent years, from being sworn in.

Nearly 400 spectators came to the meeting to see how it would turn out and put in their 2 cents, but the show they got was much less controversial than some expected.

Grumbles from the opposing side were kept to a respectable volume. Gloating from Chaney's and Metz's supporters was tolerable while sparring among the commissioners was noticeably absent.

Mayor Ward Frizsolowski had to tell only one resident to watch their language, a surprising change of pace in a city where residents have regularly been thrown out of meetings for losing tempers.

The relatively civil meeting was somewhat anticlimactic compared to the mayhem opponents of Chaney and Metz had predicted. Chaney and Metz have been named in lawsuits filed by the city over whether residents can repeal a development plan. They were fervent critics of the former commission, so much so that some wondered if they could serve as representatives.

"The elections are over," Metz said after the meeting, explaining why residents no longer are at each other's throats.

But the meeting also revealed hints of battles to come.

Metz suggested the city look into replacing senior staff, including City Manager Mike Bonfield and City Attorney Tim Driscoll. Metz said the city could benefit from a change in leadership, as well as a full-time attorney.

At this, some in the crowd rolled their eyes.

"He's very knowledgeable of municipal law," Friszolowski said of Driscoll, when suggesting the commissioners spend time getting to know the city's staff before moving to remove them.

During the meeting, the mayor issued plaques of appreciation to Nancy Markoe and Deborah Nicklaus, predecessors of Metz and Chaney. When Chaney and Metz were sworn in, some onlookers gave them a standing ovation.

As usual, the meeting inched on for hours.

Among the most divisive arguments: whether to allow a vendor to rent out electric scooters from Dolphin Village Shopping Center and whether the city should put showers in the new community center instead of a splash pad.

In the shower debate, Chaney was the deciding vote in favor of giving gym buffs a way to clean up after working out, joining Mayor Friszolowski and Commissioner Michael Finnerty. Metz and Commissioner Ed Ruttercutter voted against the showers.

Chaney's and Metz's difference of opinion was met with some surprised looks from the crowd.

Chaney also asked Driscoll to look into whether it was possible for the city not to defend itself in a lawsuit that states a project to remodel Dolphin Village Shopping Center is illegal.

The lawsuit was filed by members of Citizens of Responsible Growth, a group Chaney and Metz helped found.

Some residents protested any reconsideration of the Dolphin Village project, which will create a modern shopping plaza with waterfront shops, restaurants, and 175 new condominium units.

"It could be time to move on and look at other issues," said Lisa Overmyer, vice president of Water & Energy Savings Corp., a business in Dolphin Village. "You've already made a decision on this one. Let it go."

Cristina Silva can be reached at 727 893-8846 or csilva@sptimes.com.

[Last modified March 31, 2007, 20:37:15]