- April 25, 2024
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The fence that will be built around Ralph Carter Park will have a 9-guage metal core and a 1-inch mesh; it will span about 1,300 feet and cost $18,632.85.
The Palm Coast City Council is no longer on the fence with the ongoing issue of hooliganism and criminal activity occurring at Ralph Carter Park.
The City Council voted 4-1 at its June 7 meeting to build a fence as soon as possible to combat ongoing vandalism in the R-section, and specifically Richardson Drive, the street adjacent to the north side of the park.
City Council member Bill Lewis was the council member who voted “no” because he feels the issue won’t be solved by erecting a fence. Lewis has been steadfast in his opinion that the issues are law-enforcement related.
“We’re talking about kids running through the property ... Those are criminal acts, and that’s law enforcement,” Lewis said. “You can put up a fence all you want, but you haven’t solved the problem ... Crime is being committed, but you haven’t addressed it.”
Council member Mary DiStefano also raised concerns. She said there is no money in the city’s budget for capital projects; but, she said, residents’ safety is a main concern.
“We don’t have a pot of gold that we can start spending on this project,” she said. “I think we need to protect our residents ... but I think we need to be realistic in doing a fence."
DiStefano then moved to approve the fence without a proposed 286-foot extension for the 4-foot fence that abuts the wetlands. The price for this option was $14,489.
Council member Holsey Moorman proposed including the extension — and that motion passed. The fence will therefore be 1,000 feet long on the north side of the park, plus 286 feet to the east, dividing the park from the wetlands.
Because the option is less than $25,000, the city isn’t required by law to seek bids from companies. Instead, the city can erect the fence in-house.
Members of the public reiterated concerns at the meeting that a fence needed to be built as soon as possible. Marion Petruzzi, who has led the Richardson Drive neighborhood watch, spoke during public comment, and became emotional.
“I’m in my living room and I’m seeing people in my yard looking in,” Petruzzi said. “What’s wrong? Can’t you help us? What’s the use of putting up a fence and putting a walkway or a gateway ... ? You’re wasting money. You’re giving the fox the key to the hen house.”
The other option, an $8,200 project that would construct a pathway through a back-of-the-park entrance, was shot down by the City Council.
The City Council hopes to have the fence erected as soon as possible, and if it doesn’t work, the council will explore additional options, though members admitted there isn’t a Plan B right now.
Still, Petruzzi, speaking on behalf of the Richardson Drive and other R-section residents, said she’s happy a fence will finally be built.
“We are not getting the fence we wanted,” Petruzzi said. “However, we are reasonable people, and we realize times are tough and the city does not have the funds to provide us with the strongest fence for the job.”
Contact Andrew O'Brien at [email protected].
