by James Coulter

A proposal to refurbish an annexed building for the Lake Wales Police Department has been tabled by the City Commission until the proposal’s finer details can better be ascertained by commissioners.

At their regular meeting on Tues. Dec. 17, 2024, Lake Wales city commissioners voted to table discussion of a proposal for full architectural and engineering services on the annex building until a later time.

Located at 122 E. Tillman Ave., formerly known as the Family Elder Law Building, the building was recently purchased by the police department, located directly across the street. The department plans on using the building to house several of itsunits.

Parlier + Crews Architect, P.A. had submitted a proposal to the city to redesign and refurbish the building for $89,000. According to the city agenda memo, the planned renovations include a “training room, several interview rooms, conference room, and a storage room.”

If approved, the city will authorize the city manager to execute the appropriate documents on the city’s behalf and to expend $89,000 for the services to be provided by Parlier + Crews Architect, P.A. per the proposal.

If not approved, as the memo stipulates, “the building layout would remain as it is and would not be in the best form for use by the Police Department.”

The proposal was one of the many items in the meeting’s consent agenda. City Commissioner Carol Gillespie had requested that the item be pulled from the agenda for discussion that evening.

Commissioner Gillespie raised several concerns about the proposal’s fine print, as she noted several alleged inconsistencies within it. She also voiced concern about what would happen if the architect walked away from the project without completing it.

“I worked in this field for a while,” she explained. “It makes for a sloppy contract when you use your terms inconsistently…Before we sign it, I would appreciate to try to clear up the inconsistencies. Also, specify what will happen if the architect tries to walk away from the project.”

City Commissioner Keith Thompson noted the proposal was not written by the City, but by the architect that submitted it. He also stated the architect would be paid for any work they completed if they walked away.

“They should be paid for the work that they do. Whatever work they perform, they should be paid for,” he said. “I do not think there is enough inconsistency for me not to vote for it tonight.”

Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson claimed he had no qualms with the proposal, as he has worked extensively with the people who submitted it, and their reputation precedes themselves. However, he agreed to vote to table the discussion for the time being.

“I want Commissioner Gillespie placated,” he said. “Raising these things might alarm some of our constituents, and I want them to be comfortable with what we are doing for them. It is the best thing we can do.”

The Commission voted 3-1 to table the proposal. City Commissioner Daniel Williams offered the only vote against it.