Despite pleas from Plant City Lions Club members and Plant City Commissioner Bill Dodson, the City Commission voted Aug. 12, to terminate its longtime contract for bus benches throughout the city.
The termination comes after Commissioner Billy Keel advocated for the removal of the benches at the commission’s July 22 meeting. At that time, Keel said he did not see the benefit of the benches and questioned the safety of their placement.
The city’s 43 benches are maintained by Metropolitan Systems Inc., which sells advertising as a revenue source. The company then donated a portion of the profits to the Plant City Lions Club. The donation amount has varied since 2001. Most recently, the club received $250 per month from Metropolitan Systems.
The termination was placed on the City Commission’s consent agenda — a list of items that typically aren’t discussed. Dodson and Lions Club members attempted to have the item pulled for further discussion, but no other commissioner seconded the motion.
After Mayor Mary Thomas Mathis, Vice Mayor Rick Lott and commissioners Mike Sparkman and Keel all confirmed they supported the removal of the benches, the commission voted to terminate the contract. Dodson dissented.
Lott said if this type of partnership were considered today, he could not support it.
“The only reason I could vote for it is the donation to the Lions Club, and that’s just not enough reason for me to vote for it tonight,” Lott said.
Keel agreed.
“I am fully aware of the great things the Lions Club does,” he said. “There are many here who believe the benches are what’s in the best interest of the Lions Club, but I have to consider what is in the best interest of Plant City. And I believe these are not in the best interest to the City of Plant City.”
Lions Club member Myrle Henry said he wasn’t aware of any problems with the benches and did not know commissioners were considering removing them until he read an article following the July 22 meeting.
“I just think you ought to have some discussion before things are voted on,” Henry said.
Commissioners said because no bus system runs in Plant City, the benches were unnecessary. However, Henry said when the bench contract originally was signed in 1978, no bus system existed.
“You can trace the first benches back to 1952,” Henry said. “So, the fact that there are no buses did not enter into this thing. That was an excuse.”
Metropolitan Systems representative Andrew Moos said he doesn’t know when his company will remove the benches. He said many of the advertising contracts run through the end of the year, and he is hopeful the city will allow his company to satisfy those contracts. Moos had not heard of any problems regarding the benches until recently.
“This blew us away,” he said of the contract termination.
Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.
IN OTHER NEWS
• Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Director Ray Chiaramonte and Assistant Executive Director Beth Alden introduced Imagine 2040, an outreach campaign of the MPO and the Hillsborough County Planning Commission. The campaign seeks public input regarding how transportation will grow in Hillsborough County in the next 25 years.
• The city honored youth singing group NRG for its recent performances in New York City. The group entertained the City Commission by singing the chorus of one of its original tunes.
• The city will host a special workshop to discuss Historic District Design Standards and the Midtown District at 4 p.m Sept. 9, at City Hall, 302 W. Reynolds St.
• City Manager Greg Horwedel announced the Mendonsa Road project was completed Aug. 12. He also indicated Plant City Police Department officers would monitor the new, smooth roadway for speeding. The speed limit is 30 mph, he said.
• Crews from the city’s General Services department worked to eradicate a bat infestation at the Burchwood Park pavilion.