Mayor ‘Disappointed’ by Lack of Flag at Seminole City Center
SEMINOLE – Mayor Leslie Waters told council members at their March 12 Seminole City Council meeting that leaders at American Legion post in Madeira Beach are “concerned” that there is no American flag installed at Seminole City Center.
Waters added that several individuals from the city, including Councilor Jim Quinn, have reached out to the owners of the outdoor mall to discuss installing an American flag.
City Manager Ann Toney-Deal said the development agreement between the city and Seminole City Center allows for one flag pole. A pole with no flag is currently installed in front of the former site of Pollo Tropical, which closed in recent months, she said.
She said the city has suggested moving the flag closer to Studio Movie Grill, but that the city center owners had concerns about flag maintenance and upkeep, including changing the flag to half-mast when necessary.
Quinn added that there was “not a willingness on behalf of (Seminole City Center) management to ask Studio Movie Grill to do it or the manager on site.”
Waters said she was “disappointed” given that the city of Seminole borders the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, is home to many veterans, is a Purple Heart City and also boasts a Red, White and Blue initiative.
“So, we don’t take this lightly,” she said. “Perhaps, there will be some reconsideration at some point.”
Installing an American flag at the city center “goes along with being a good American, a good American company, a good American city,” she added.
Councilor Roger Edelman said he would approach management at the city center about the matter.
At the same meeting, the council also:
• approved an ordinance updating chapter 42 of the city’s Code of Ordinances regarding taxation and finance. Amendments to this chapter include the requirement of finance director approval for requisitions of $1,000 and greater, changes to the competitive purchase thresholds and council approval to award contracts at or above $50,000.
This was the second and final reading of the ordinance.
• voted for the city to vacate 12 feet, six inches of a 15-feet drainage and utility easement at 10965 117th St. at the request of the property owner, Mark Morells. This partial easement vacation allows Morells to build a pool with a deck in his yard.
• authorized Waters to sign the plat for Artisan Estates, a proposed 49-unit single-family residential project at 9180 82nd Ave. The plat was reviewed by Cardno, an engineering firm that consults with the city.
The council approved the development agreement for the project, which is located on the south side of 82nd Avenue and west of Starkey Road, this past August.
SOURCE: tbnweekly.com