- September 13, 2024
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A discussion on a charter amendment up for vote in November quickly became hostile at the Palm Coast City Council meeting on Aug. 27.
Vice Mayor Ed Danko instigated the discussion, which quickly devolved into a shouting match between him and Mayor David Alfin where Alfin uncharacteristically shouted Danko down and threatened to end the meeting.
The problem at hand? Danko had changed his mind about the language he and the other city council members approved in July for the charter amendment ordinance that expands the city’s ability to borrow funds. The ordinance must be approved by a referendum vote.
Danko said the language for the charter amendment on the ballot was “deceptive” and “fraudulent.”
If approved by voters, the charter amendment would allow the council to enter into public private partnerships and also removes a $15 million cap currently in place for applying for bonds or loans.
Danko alleges that he was recently told at a meeting at attorney Michael Chiumento’s office that if the bonds weren’t approved the company interested in building the sports complex with Palm Coast “would exit.”
“I did not know when we voted on this language. I did not know what this was specifically for,” Danko said. “It's for a $90 million stadium in the westward expansion”
“Then why did you vote for it?” Alfin asked him.
Council member Theresa Carli Pontieri said research should have been done ahead of voting.
“What I have an issue with is not doing due diligence and research prior to a very important vote, which I think is kind of rampant by some on this board,” she said.
Pontieri said while the amendment would allow the city to enter into a public private partnership to build the complex, it is not the reason for the amendment change. Pontieri said she does support the idea of a sports complex because of the economic opportunities it would present the city.
“It is a concern for me that you are throwing up a red flag about a sports complex when you approved every single residential zoning variance that has come before this board, and increased dwelling units,” Pontieri said.
Beyond that, the amendment just removes the $15 million cap on how much money the city can borrow — Pontieri said the city still has to apply for those funds first and prove it can repay them.
“It's not a blank check that we can just write. It's not,” she said. “You are acting ignorant right now.”
The use of the word ‘ignorant’ set Danko to talking over Pontieri again, causing Alfin to jump in, threatening to stop the meeting if Danko did not stop interrupting Pontieri.
“Vice Mayor, I'm going to stop the damn meeting in a second,” Alfin said, shouting into the microphone. “Let the councilwoman finish her comments. Then you'll have your turn.”
Pontieri did apologize to Danko for calling him ignorant but added, “I will say the statements that are being made are ignorant.”
When Alfin refused again to let Danko respond, saying it was council member Nick Klufas’ turn at the microphone, Danko began shouting again.
“You said I can respond and I'm going to respond,” Danko said.
“You had your turn. It's councilman Klufas now,” Alfin responded. “I will get to you when I'm ready.”
If Danko did not like it, Alfin said, he could leave:“You know where the door is.”
Klufas did not have anything to add on the amendment change, and when Danko resumed speaking the discussion moved on to changing the language of the charter. Attorney Mike Duffy and Interim City Manager Lauren Johnston said that there would not be time to change the language of the amendment ahead of the November 5 election because of the public notice laws.
Danko instead motioned to remove the amendment from the ballot entirely and allow the future council to change the language.
When the motion was not seconded and died on the dais, Danko told his fellow council members: “Shame on you. Shame on you.”
