The Hernando Sun has covered the proposed 90- year ground lease agreement between the City of Brooksville and the Florida Blueberry Festival Association which was first discussed at the City Council meeting on October 17. The three workshops did not appear to greatly improve public opinion in favor of the lease. (One workshop was public comment only; the other two involved the council reviewing the lease agreement line-by-line.)
At the 11/21/16 City Council meeting, Mayor Natalie Kahler stated the letter showing support for the Blueberry Festival needed approval on 11/21/16 as Ms. Michael Heard would be meeting with the Blueberry Growers Association on 11/28/16. Heard would be presenting the letter to the Blueberry Growers Association at the 11/28 meeting. This would also allow the council time to fully discuss the lease before signing any agreements.
Council member-elect Joe Bernardini gave Brooksville Mayor Natalie Kahler his opinion of the intent to send a letter of support for the Blueberry Festival’s ground lease. “I can’t understand why there’s the rush, why the hurry. I feel like we’re dealing with a timeshare sales pitch.”
Between in-kind contributions and taxpayer money, the Blueberry Festival has received approximately $100,000. Bernardini stated that the public deserves to see Blueberry Festival records detailing what money has been received and how it has been spent.
Council member Betty Erhard agreed with Bernardini that the letter appears to be “putting the cart before the horse.” She expressed concern that the Blueberry Festival does not meet the level of transparency and accountability that the City Council requires as part of its mission statement.
Erhard also stated it has the appearance of a legal commitment. With litigation pending, Erhard believes the language should show only support.
According to Assistant City Attorney Cliff Taylor, the letter does not represent a binding agreement because it states, “very close to finalizing the terms.”
Vice Mayor Robert Battista pointed out the phrase “pledge and commitment to finalize the lease agreement.” The Council discussed using the more “ambiguous” phrasing: “will work diligently in good faith” instead.
To Council member Bill Kemmerer, it seemed there were two different messages being discussed – one about the lease, and one about whether the Council should support the Blueberry Festival. “That is basically the only major event this city has…You’re on the map as the Blueberry Festival.”
Discussing the terms of the lease may take time, as the City (as landlord) works to make the lease favorable to the City, and add other terms as needed. Whether they find those terms acceptable, Kemmerer said, “that’s a decision they make.”
The letter seems to misrepresent what was discussed at the workshops, including the level of interest or excitement the residents of Brooksville have for the Blueberry Festival, Erhard said. The workshop was held very quickly after the last council meeting in October, with little notice to the public.
Erhard said the concerns voiced by those citizens who could attend have never been addressed. There was one public workshop, and then the Council began discussing the lease terms line by line, “like we were moving forward, no matter what they thought,” she said.
Kemmerer, who said he wrote comments from 18 individuals, disagreed. The public was heard, and not one said, “Don’t do it.” Kemmerer stated the citizens were well-represented. What he took away from the meeting was to move forward, but with modifications to the lease.
As for transparency, Kemmerer said that Heard reports to an independent board of directors. As a non-profit, the records are available for review, and they are limited as to what they can do with the profits. “I don’t want to lose that Blueberry Festival,” Kemmerer said. “I think it’s too important to the City.”
The funds Heard used to begin the Blueberry Festival came from the taxpayers – City, County, and tourism development. While Heard was important in guiding the festival, taxpayers made it successful, Erhard countered. “She needs us as much as we need her.”
Kahler disagreed with Erhard, saying that the meetings where the lease agreements were discussed were open to the public, whether any citizens attended or not.
When pressed, Erhard conceded to the proposed changes to the letter. The council voted 4-1 to approve the letter as amended, with Erhard voting “no.”
Kahler stated the next public meeting is scheduled for 12/01/16 at 5:30 pm, and the attorneys will present a new lease agreement with the recommended changes.
—PUBLIC COMMENT—
When the mayor opened the floor for public comments, Ms. Michael Heard addressed the Council to express appreciation for those who voted to approve the letter of support. She had harsh words for Erhard, telling her that the majority of funding came from outside sources and not solely from the taxpayers directly.
“I want you to get your record straight,” she said. “I want you to look at what we give, as our Certified Public Accountant publishes. And I’m sure you don’t know how to read it or you would understand the money does not come from the City – $20,000 does. All that money is spent on marketing for this community, along with the money that comes from the TDC (Tourism Development Council).”
Her message was crystal clear: The Blueberry Festival benefits the entire county, and the events they hope to bring will benefit the City of Brooksville as well.
Heard also said that while the Blueberry Festival would like to stay in Brooksville, there are other places they could go. According to her records, 92% of visitors to the Blueberry Festival came from outside of Hernando County.
Of the money taken in during the festival, more than $75,000 has been given to other charities, Heard said. The Main Street Program and the airport benefits from the Blueberry Festival as well.
Dudley Calfee, president of the Florida Blueberry Grower’s Association, reiterated some of the figures from the 10/17/16 council meeting. He said Florida’s blueberry industry has the potential to overtake Georgia’s production. Brooksville has an opportunity to get in on the ground floor in a way that resembles Plant City’s Strawberry Festival, which has grown yearly.
Calfee said that UF/IFAS could build a research center, and the FBGA would hold meetings twice a year, which would bring added tourism dollars to the area. Brooksville will be able to host events all year.
Bernardini followed Calfee. Brooksville residents he spoke with expressed concern with the road closures and negative impacts to their businesses, as well as fees to park and enter the festival. Bernardini took offense to Heard’s statement that “she’s done more for this county than any one organization”. To Bernardini, Margaret Giotto holds that distinction because of Rogers Christmas House.
With regard to the Blueberry Festival’s financial transparency, Bernardini said there should be no issue with Heard providing a spreadsheet to the City Council. “That’s all the citizens want to see.”
Bernardini reminded the council members that some residents moved to Brooksville for the “quaintness”, and to get away from large events. While there are some residents who are opposed to the lease and to the festival, there are many people who are interested, he said.
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