Agenda Conference Raises Social Class War

Monday’s Pensacola City Council Agenda Conference revealed the stark difference between the wealthy and the middle class.

The first item on the six-page agenda, under a review of Consent Agenda items, drew immediate contention between Mayor D.C. Reeves and Councilwoman Jennifer Braher, who made it clear it is not fair that money speaks over due process when it comes to park amenity dedications.

(Photo: City of Pensacola Video)

 “The Rafferty Center had a dedication naming last week or the week before that didn’t seem to go through Parks and Recreation or come to us,” Braher said to Tonya Byrd, Parks and Recreation director. "We even asked at the time whether it had to come back and go through proper procedure to be named and we were told 'yes' it did.(Photo: Parks & Recreation Director Tonya Byrd, City of Pensacola Video)

"I guess Adam can speak to the structure to say the Fricker Center that's been fully funded," Reeves said. "Obviously, as you are aware, this facility is fully funded privately for the betterment of the community."

Then Reeves actually said it.

"If that is an argument you want to take up with the people who donated three million dollars, I certainly understand that," Reeves said.

Reeves added, "Legally, the facility is not apples to apples with the Fricker Center and Bayview Center that were funded by city funds."

(Photo: Mayor D.C. Reeves, City of Pensacola Video)

Braher came back with the ultimate point that mattered the most.

"If you can just spend millions of bucks and get your name on it, as opposed to someone who was working for 30 years, who has to go through the process, I don't think that is appropriate."

After the financial drama, Council President Allison Patton quickly read through the agenda with little interruption, except for Councilman Charles Bare, who asked to have an item removed from the agenda regarding tree canopies.

When told the study was based on “methodology” rather than actual figures, Bare was disturbed and put on the record that “you are not actually looking at the study saying where they are needed.” Bare asked that it be taken off the agenda.

Under the Regular Agenda, a public hearing on the transmittal of proposed amendments to the city’s comprehensive plan is up for discussion Thursday. Coincidentally, the Downtown flooding supplemental budget resolution for the Florida Division of Emergency Management Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for the Pensacola Stormwater Master Plan is up for approval, along with another supplemental budget resolution for the Law Enforcement Trust Fund Purchase for the police department.

As usual, awards for Pensacola International Airport are up for approval, along with an award for the demolition, abatement, and site work pre-qualified vendors for the Pace-Cervantes Corridor Revitalization Project.

The meeting Thursday at 221 W. Main St., Pensacola, begins at 5:30 p.m.