Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 01-20-07 strategic plan minutes — reading text

153 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 20, 2007 INTRODUCTION The City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida hekt a Strategic Planning Session at a Council meeting on I"'"'" Saturday, January 20, 2007 from 8: 00 a. m. to 3: 00 p. m. at the Fort Special Beach Senior Citizens Center located at Walton 31 Memorial Parkway, SW, with the following present: Mayor Mike Anderson Councilmen: Mike Holmes, Bill Patterson, Bob and Mike Minich. Campbell, Jim Tucker, Wayne Pullen, Jim Hartwell. Also Present: Joyce Shanahan, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Lisa Absher, Finance Director; Toni Craig, City Attorney; Missy McKim, CDS Director; Mike Dutton, Fire Chief; Tom Murray, Public Works Director; John Hofstad, Utilities Director; Jim Jeff Peters, Parks and Recreation Frazier, Golf Club Administrator; Director; Mark Wiltsie, Human Resource Police Chief; Mike Tatum, Director; Ted Litschauer, Purchasing Director; and Dave Jenzen, MIS Director. Facilitator: Dr. Herb Marlowe, Jr., Ph. D. CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. STATE OF THE CITY The Mayor went over the State of the City with a recap of the overall achievements; the tax base and economic picture on the cost savings; key information on new construction, cost of housing, retail sales and the bed tax; the city services living, affordable recreation, water and provided for police, fire, EMS, parks & sewer, sanitation, and golf; and the homeless, affordable community hot button issues of the housing, storm water. traffic, and transportation. The City Manager mentioned that the Okaloosa the Chamber have partnered County Community Development Corporation and together to work on the homeless and affordable stated the City is working on an RFP for storm water management. She also housing issue. She received from First City Bank in mentioned a letter was strong opposition to the proposed one- way street on Perry and First. The Mayor mentioned the by- pass through Eglin may not be as helpful as originally affordable housing is being addressed thought, by the Eglin Management group; and the consider doing away with the legislators may property tax and increasing the sales tax to raise additional revenue. Mr. Tucker expressed his desire that Council take a position on the location of the bridge. The City Manager mentioned in preparation for the annual budget meetings, three workshops will be scheduled in the near future. She said the first will be on impact fees next workshop to discuss the ad valorem taxes, and another Tuesday, another workshop on storm water management. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS Kabe Woods, 240 Brooks Street, asked Council to focus on health and transportation and infrastructure as priorities for the safety, water and sewer, be in line with the vision of the City. He mentioned the bridge location should City and expressed his support for one-way streets in the area. downtown  Strategic Planning Session 1- 20- 07 154 GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS cont. Don Panzenhagen, 267 Ewing Court and Historic Sites and Structures Advisory Board Chairman, mentioned the Board recommends the City do what is required to become a Certified Local Government. He pointed out the need to update a very old historic structures inventory and to initiate a citywide archaeological survey. He mentioned the Board is willing but will need more staff support. He estimated $ 50, 000 a year would be reasonable to dedicate to the effort and if the staff support cannot be absorbed with the current staff, then additional staff will be needed. Doug Reed, 842 Santa Rosa Court and owner of Merlin' s downtown, suggested streamlining the permitting process for contractors as some areas are redundant. He mentioned none of the downtown businesses were aware the one- process of being approved. way streets downtown was as far along and are in the lJ The City Manager explained the issue came up recently at the CRA charette on the CRA Plan Update; they are not close to having public meetings on it as it is still part of the discussion phase. Bill Garvie, 315 Shell Avenue SE, mentioned the storm water coming off the streets and the waters. He complimented staff for going into receiving grant to install four storm water separators and a requested the City continue with the effort and to install more storm water separators. DISCUSSION ITEMS Discussion was held on the following issues: Rethinkina the business of City aovernment issues Boards and Committees - discussion included the need for direct and open communication; are they following the strategic plan; receive quarterly, semi- annual, or annual report slot on agenda to allow reports as needed. by Chairman, or regular Alternative means of service delivery - discussion included consolidation of fire and police services in south Okaloosa County; expand police and fire services RFP to look at ways to provide services in the most cost effective manner such as outsourcing, consolidation, public/ private partnerships, privatization, and Interlocal Agreements. E- Government - discussion included expanding Council e- capability at meetings; provide Council a laptop at meetings for capability of instant retrieval of information; waiting to access information at a meeting may slow process; and the Charter Officers having the capability to access information at meetings. Human Resources policv - compensation/ retirement - discussion included establishing a hard maximum on pay chart; have an overall review of the retirement program; doing a compensation retirement survey; establish a bonus system with a one time bonus; and having a review of all compensation systems. Ad valorem tax - discussion included the need for a balance of businesses and residences if the legislature eliminates the ad valorem tax and increases the sales tax. Reserve policv - discussion included revisiting the City' s current policy to maintain 20% of operating expenses in the reserve fund with 26% currently in the reserve fund. Citv Hall relocation - discussion included moving City Hall to a location higher than 6' above sea level and away from the waterfront; move the City Hall facilities to another location, let the reverter clause kick in so the property will revert back to the tax rolls, or keep a portion of the function at the current location so the reverter clause would city government not apply. Council protocol - encourage new Council members to read the protocol handbook.  Strategic Planning Session 1- 20- 07