VERO BEACH – The Vero Beach City Council will be taking on at least one issue of national importance tonight as they declare their opposition to offshore drilling.
The council is expected to pass a resolution that would be forwarded to various state and federal officials to put them on alert to the city’s stance on drilling for oil off Florida’s coast. Also up for discussion at the evening meeting is a potential land purchase west of the Vero Beach Municipal Airport along 43rd Avenue – a discussion carried over from a prior council.
City Manager Jim Gabbard has listed under his matters on the agenda “Strategic Land Purchase.”
The property is approximately 88 acres and is part of the 333-acre privately owned land that consists of the Dodger Pines Country Club and once-planned Heritage Reserve development.
The city could receive a $1.6 million grant that could be used to purchase the property if the council is so inclined to pursue it.
According to a memo from Airport Director Eric Menger to Gabbard, a possible plan for the property could include a “small business park surrounded by master-planned compatible uses, green space, and an integral bike path would enable local residents to live and work within a 2-3 mile radius, significantly reducing commute times.”
“The proposed parcel would also create an airport buffer between the residential areas to the west and south, reducing the City’s future exposure to noise issues and legal costs,” Menger added.
The Vero Beach City Council is also expected to discuss Councilman Brian Heady’s federal lawsuit filed against the city and how the city will defend itself against the suit.
Vice Mayor Sabe Abell plans to ask the council to revisit the times the council meetings are held.
According to his memo to the council and Mayor Kevin Sawnick, Abell would like for all the council’s meetings to be held starting at 9:30 a.m. unless there is a compelling reason for the meeting to be held after 5 p.m.
“I feel it is imperative that I bring it up again because of the long meetings that we consistently have,” he said, adding, “There are people who might attend our meetings, but when they are held at night, they prefer not to drive at night.”
Abell also points out in the memo that having night meetings make for long days for the city’s staff.
The Vero Beach City Council meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. tonight in council chambers at City Hall.
