Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 04-13-2010 Regular — reading text

Mike Rocca from the firm of Brown & Caldwell, who conducted,the rate study, was available to answer any questions. Discussion included the capital improvement projects that will occur and that the increase is sufficient to cover the City's debt service. The Mayor Pro Tern asked for public input. There was none. Mr. Rynearson moved to adopt Res. 2010 -9. Mr. Patterson seconded motion. Mr. Rynearson commented that while no one likes rate increases, he appreciates that the increases will be done gradually, and that the increases may cause less water usage -which will help conserve water. Mr. Reeves expressed his concern over the implementation and the percentage of the rate increase, especially among small business owners. Mr. Reeves also discussed that money has been taken from the enterprise fund for years, and that he will not support this resolution on principle. Mr. Reeves stated he appreciated the work that Staff has done and the study that was conducted. Mr. Nabors stated he wants `to make sure the rates being voted on justify the product being. received and the cost of the product received, and after reading the study that is exactly what the rate increase does. Mr. Holmes stated that this is something that has to be done and he hopes it is monitored closely. 7- 124 Regular Council 3/ 23/ 10 ICES. 2010 -9 ( CONT) Mr. Patterson stated the infrastructure is aging and it needs to be corrected now, and not passed on to future generations. The Mayor Pro Tern called for the vote on the motion and it carried by a vote of 5 to 1 with Holmes, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor and Reeves opposed Seat 2 Vacant). CONSIDERATION OF A GRANT OF EASEMENT TO GULF POWER Mr. Beedie advised that Gulf Power is requesting an easement for the installation of guy wire(s) and anchors on Golf Club property to provide electrical services across. Lewis Turner to the new courthouse annex located at the fairgrounds. The granting of the easement for the guy wire(s) and anchors has no financial impact on the City. The Mayor Pro Tem asked for public input. There was none. Mr. Reeves moved to authorize the Mayor to execute an easement with Gulf Power for the installation of guy wire(s) and anchors on Golf Club property to provide electrical service across Lewis Turner Boulevard to the new Okaloosa County Courthouse Annex located at the fairgrounds. Mr. Rynearson seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor (Seat 2 Vacant). CITY MANAGER REPORTS Mr. Beedie updated Council on the progress of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, advising that the City and County got together and that as of March 12 the flow is being sent to the county plant. Mr. Beedie continued that the county made some modifications to the potable water system to allow reuse water to be sent to the golf course and it is now a working .system. He advised the decommissioning process will begin at the City plant and once totally decommissioned a determination will be made whether to demolish the structures. Mr. Beedie advised that Human Resources will be meeting with the two remaining employees at the plant to discuss employment options. MAYOR/ COUNCIL COMMENTS Mr. Rynearson discussed his concern that the Historic Sites and Structures Board did not have a quorum at its March 16, 2010 meeting, and that the lack of quorum is holding up a builder from moving forward with his project. He stated he is looking for a solution. The City Manager advised the meeting has been rescheduled to this Thursday, March 25, at 5: 30 pm. The City Manager relayed that the Business Retention Panel had suggested that the review responsibility of the Historic Sites Board be curtailed and that an ordinance is being prepared to bring forward to Council for action. The Mayor Pro Tern advised he contacted members of the Historic Sites Board and that this lack of quorum was a rare occurrence for the Board. Mr. Rynearson noted that there are five excellent candidates for the vacant position on Council and it will be a difficult job but he will be honored to serve with any of them. Mr. Holmes discussed the editorial in the Daily News on March 21 in reference to the efforts of the downtown merchants to stay open until 9 pm, and his opinion that the article was a disservice to the City and the downtown merchants. 8- f 125 Regular Council 3/ 23/ 10 MAYOR/ COUNCIL COMMENTS ( CONT) Mr. Garvie advised the Mayor asked him to present to Council a request from the Soka Gacci International organization to have their president made an honorary citizen of the City on the 50th event of their anniversary. The City had prepared a proclamation for the organization and attended their exhibit last year. The organization is going around the country asking various cities to make the individual an honorary citizen of their city. Council declined to take action on this request. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8: 37 pm. APPROVED: MAYOR: ATTEST: CITY CLERK Ive g- THIS PAGE IS LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK 10-  CITY COUNCIL MEETING April 13, 2010 Consent Agenda Preliminary Approval to Accept FIRE Grant from FEMA Synopsis: FEMA requires the City to preliminarily accept an $ 115,200 grant with an $ 11, 520 city match to replace all self contained - breathing apparati ( SCBA) before final award occurs Agenda Item Number: 8. 2  CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH MEMORANDUM DATE: April 13, 2010 TO: Robert T. Meares, City Manager FROM: Mike Dutton, Fire Chief oG- SUBJECT: 2009 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program 1. BACKGROUND: 1. 1 The Department of Homeland Security, specifically the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has asked if we would accept a grant award for the City of Fort Walton Beach with a matching fund grant of 115, 200 under the 2009 FIRES Grant Program. The Fire Department' s application submitted last April was one of thousands of requests competing for a share of the 650 million dollars allotted. Fort Walton Beach' s share of this matching grant is $ 11, 520. 2. " DISCUSSION: 2. 1 After performing a thorough risk and needs assessment, the Fire Department has determined that there is an immediate need to upgrade our self contained - breathing apparatus ( SCBA). The department' s current SCBA has been in- service and used regularly for over 6 years. Unfortunately, these apparatus have begun to experience regular maintenance issues and no longer meet current industry standards. 2. 2 The department and the City will benefit by utilizing this grant to upgrade worn and outdated breathing apparatus that is currently in use by the department. A myriad of electronic and mechanical features on the units have been in constant need of repair and the manufacturer recently informed us that they would no longer be covered under warranty. Therefore, we can lower expected maintenance cost by utilizing the grant for much needed upgrades and newer hardware 2. 3 This grant request, if approved,provides funding that will ensure all department personnel have access to modern breathing apparatus that is safe, reliable, and meets the rigorous current standards of NFPA 1981, Standard on Open- Circuit SCBA for Emergency Services and NFPA 1982, Standard on Personal Alert Safety Systems ( PASS). If the grant is not utilized, with the expiration of the current warranty, it is very likely that the department will see a dramatic increase in maintenance cost  associated with its self -contained breathing apparatus. In addition, the upgrades boost firefighter safety by upgrading our current units with the latest personnel accountability features. 2. 4 In addition, the department wishes to transition t a more lightweight and low-profile SCBA bottle. By reducing the overall weight of donned SCBA, personnel should notice a reduction in firefighter fatigue. This is most important in an area that relies so heavily on automatic aid and outside assistance. A shortage of firefighting personnel requires our firefighters to work for longer periods of time on numerous tasks. 3. FINANCIAL INFORMATION: 3. 1 To. provide for these important upgrades in equipment, the department has been in contact with reputable fire equipment vendors to determine costs associated with this project. The budget for this grant request is as follows: 23 Upgrade Kits for Scott Air -Pak Fifty breathing apparatus ........ $ 90, 000 36 Lightweight Carbon Low -profile 4500 psi 30- minute. SCBA bottles......................................... ............................... $ 25, 200 Total ......................................... ............................... $ 1152200 3. 2 Should the Department of Homeland Security award us this grant there would be sufficient funding within the Fire Department to pay the City' s match. Specifically there is a balance of $ 1, 914 in Designated Fund Balance, 001 -0000 -271 -2500; this plus a transfer of funds from the 2010 Operating Budget to include $ 9, 000 from Fuel & Oil, 001 - 0900 -522 -5204, and the remaining $ 606 from Communications Services, 001 -0900 -522 4100, will total the $ 11, 520 needed for the City' s portion. 4. RECOMMENDATION: 4. 1 Staff requests Council give preliminary approval to accept the 2009 FIRES Grant award from the Department of Homeland Security. 12- 5. SIGNATURE BLOCK 5. 1 Submitted by: I1 Mike Dutton, Fire Chief 5. 2 Reviewed by: Brandy Wunker, Finance Director 5. 3 Reviewed for Agenda: Zpto o ert T. Mearns, City