False Record headline and mediocre coverage by JENNIFER EDWARDS

Mosquito Board OKs $3M headquarters design

District hires lobbyist

BY JENNIFER EDWARDS

The Anastasia Mosquito Control District on Thursday got closer to a new headquarters in a process bogged down for months by bitter dissent and, for one commissioner, second thoughts.

The board voted 3-2 to approve the continuation of the design process for a new base facility, to be located off State Road 16 near Interstate 95. The board approved the construction and move in May.

The Jacksonville-based firm handling the design, PQH Architects, has been collaborating with staff on the design for the facility.

As of Thursday, the design includes a 9,000-square-foot office building, 12,000-square-foot vehicle maintenance and storage area and 720-square-foot pesticide building.

Commissioners John Sundeman and Janice Bequette, who voted against the building in May, opposed the action.

Commissioner Jeanne Moeller, who in May voted to approve the building, said she was concerned about the costs. The swing vote, she reluctantly approved the design.

"We are already in this with one foot," she said. "To walk away now could be a huge mistake in terms of future cost."

Commissioner Vivian Browning, who voted to continue the design phase, said the hours of discussion that have locked up each meeting for months amounted to "process filibustering."

"For us to drop the ball tonight is unacceptable," she said. "We have to have the courage to move forward."

Board attorney Doug Wyckoff said the board's initial vote to approve the move could not be rescinded. Any further discussions just lengthen the process, he said.

PQH will continue designing the site at an additional cost of abpit $214,000. The district has already paid more than $47,000.

In comments before the vote, Commissioner Ron Radford said that delaying the design now would cost the district more in the future.

"The construction costs are going to go up," as the economy recovers, he said.

"This is a boondoggle," Sundeman replied.

New design, lower cost

The design presented to the board has a smaller price tag than two months ago.

Then, it was around $3.6 million. Now, it's about $3 million. That price does not include impact fees, which have not yet been determined.

Assistant Director Priscilla Greene said the new design costs less because the proposed vehicle maintenance building was reduced from 15,000 to 12,000 square feet.

All the buildings would also be of "sustainable" design rather than Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified. She said certification would have added 10 percent to the cost.

The plans still include some green options, though.

"We'll probably do the low-hanging fruit: good insulation, efficient water heaters, good windows ­ ­- some of the easier things," she said.

She said certification would remain an option for the future.

"It's not the Taj Majal; it's Taj Metal," Browning said of the revisions. "I think it's the right size for this time."

Greene said the staff was "extremely pleased with the design."

District hires lobbyist

Wyckoff also during the meeting gave details on a lobbyist contract the board approved during its last regular meeting, after news media had left.

The board had approved contracting with Delaware-based Dutko Poole McKinley LLC. Wyckoff said he renegotiated the contract to $3,000 a month with a 30-day escape clause.

Radford said the lobbyist was needed in order to secure FEMA grants for the new base station. Browning agreed.

"The purpose is to get a grant, reduce our costs and get help for the citizens of St. Johns County," she said.

Moeller was surprised and confused to learn that the board was moving ahead with the contract. She said she did not realize the board had approved the contract.

Sundeman protested the decision bitterly, saying "This is influence peddling. It's bad business."

"I will stop this," he said. "I am heading to Tallhassee. I am heading to FEMA. I will stop this any way I can."

But Wyckoff said the board had already approved the contract and that, just like the move to the new headquarters, there was no way to rescind it.

Also during the meeting, commissioners:

* Approved creating an environmental policy that would examine the impact of mosquito control chemicals on the plants and wildlife of St. Johns County, including nesting bald eagles.

* Voted Commissioner Jeanne Moeller as the new chair; Commissioner Ron Radford as vice-chair; and Commissioner Vivian Browing as the secretary/treasurer.