The Stuart City Council met in regular session Monday night.
The Council approved liquor licenses for Stuart Bowl and Lounge and Stuart Flowers and Gifts, sending a proposal from Greg Irving to purchase city owned property to the planning and zoning committee, purchase of city owned property by Allen and Tawnya Neal, a contribution of $1,000 to Congregate Meals. They also discussed tree stump removal bids for cemeteries and Lawbaugh Park, a nuisance abatement that had been cleaned up on the 300 block of North Division Street, and approved to exceed $500 for a nuisance abatement on the 400 block of North Sherman Street.
The Council then discussed in length about a civil fine that has been levied against Andy Forcht for several years. Forcht was originally fined for running an automotive business out of a residential area, which is against city ordinance. He has purchased a plot in a commercial district, but has been unable to progress plans due to not having all the blueprints for a building finished. Forcht has reached out to a new engineer to complete the plans, and if the engineer doesn’t take long, he could have a building permit by the end of the year. The Council approved to continue the $15 per day fine until January 1, 2024. If at that time Forcht does not have a building permit, his business would be forced to close. Councilmembers Cory Kirkpatrick and Michael Kalbach voted against extending the deadline, as this has been an issue since first filed April 5, 2017. They both stated that it is not that they want to shut down Forcht’s business, but that they need to be fair in treatment to all people and businesses that might find themselves in this situation.
The Council then approved the third pay estimate to McAninch Corporation for $355,330.05, resolutions to approve plans and contracts for 2023 sewer system improvements and the third partial payment in relation to the Safe Routes to School Project in the amount of $181,814.25. They also approved the final pay estimate and certificate of completion for the 2022 street improvements project, tabled a decision on insurance requirements for contractors until they hear back from their attorney, and discussed changing speed limits by the high school and the future site of Kwik Star, and will return the item to next month’s agenda.
The Council approved a financial report ending June 30, 2023, set hours for Beggar’s Night, and approved resolutions approving agreements with SLK Holdings and Bonnie and Clyde Hideout authorizing annual appropriation tax increment payments and pledging certain tax increment revenues to the payment of the agreement.