Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 12-13-05 — reading text

and includes removing the existing concrete sidewalk and construction of an eight-foot sidewalk constructed of brick pavers along the frontage of the property on Eglin Parkway. Ms. Fowler advised funding in the amount of 4, 018. 20 would need to be transferred from the CRA contingencies account into the Matching Streetscape Grant. Mr. Campbell moved to approve the Matching Streetscape Grant fund request from Beach Community Bank for streetscape improvements at 25 Perry Avenue SE in the amount of up to $8, 835. 00, subject to the following conditions: 1) The City shall enter into a Highway Landscape Maintenance Memorandum of Agreement with FDOT for improvements constructed within the FDOT righto- f- way. 2) The applicant shall be required to enter into a maintenance agreement with the City of Fort Walton Beach for the maintenance of improvements constructed within the FDOT right-of-way, in accordance with the guidelines as established by the City of Fort Walton Beach. 3) Grant funds will be released to the applicant upon approval of the maintenance agreements, submittal of the recorded streetscape easement, submittal of all invoices relative to the approved improvements, copies of cancelled checks/ or receipts showing payment of funds, verification by CDS staffthatthe improvements have been installed in accordance with the approved plan, and completion of all improvements listed on the approved site plan and approved by Public Works consistent with the memo dated 1 1/ 7/ 05 as follows: 1. All ADA requirements regarding public sidewalks must be met. 2. Handicap ramps will be required where the sidewalk crosses the driveway. 3. Detectable warning surfaces must be installed where the sidewalk approaches the driveway, as required by ADA. 4. All existing driveway openings not being used are to be replaced with matching street curb. Mr. Hartwell seconded motion. Council received clarification that the applicant is not requesting funding for required elements of the site plan, that the sidewalk is existing and is not required to be re- done. Dr. Pullen expressed his thoughts that a budget of $ 10, 000 was approved by Council for the CRA and that a budget transfer should be approved by Council before any funds go toward the project. The City Manager advised if Council approves project, she has the authority, provided by the budget ordinance, to transfer within funds to acc? mmodate this request.  43 11/22/ 05 o o BEACH COMMUNITY BANK. 25 PERRY AVENUE ( CONTI The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried by a vote of 6 to 1 with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Hartwell, and Minich in favor and Pullen opposed. AMEND FLUE OF THE COMP PLAN- REDUCTION IN NUMBER OF NEIGHBORHOODS Consideration of request to direct staff to begin the process of amending the Future Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan to reduce the number of City neighborhoods from 13 to 11 as outlined in the backup report. Missy McKim, CDS Director, advised the boundaries of the neighborhoods were reviewed and it was found that a couple of the commercial neighborhoods did not have enough participation at the neighborhood meetings, so the commercial areas were included in the adjacent residential areas, reducing the number of neighborhoods from 13 to 11. Mr. Holmes moved to direct Staff to begin the process of amending the Future Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan to reflect eleven ( 11) neighborhoods in the City as shown on the map entitled " City of Fort Walton Beach Neighborhoods." Mr. Tucker seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. EGLIN PARKWAY LIGHTING FEASIBILITY STUDY. PHASE II Consideration of a request to approve the Eglin Parkway Lighting Feasibility Study and direct staff to have the consultant prepare Phase II construction documents. Ms. Fowler presented a power- point presentation depicting the Eglin Parkway decorative lighting l- project around the area of Uptown Station before and after decorative lighting was installed. She presented background information on the 1994 Vision Plan, which stated a residents was the poor aesthetics major concern of the along major highway corridors of the City and the negative impact it has on economic development. Ms. Fowler described the dramatic difference in appearance that resulted from underground utilities and installing decorative lighting at the redeveloped Uptown Station by owner Jay Odom. She explained the development set a theme for north Eglin Parkway which the City plans to continue on both sides of Eglin Parkway from Hughes Street south to Fourth Street/Perry Avenue. A feasibility study by Schmidt Dell Associates, Inc ( SDA) was submitted to the City in January of 2005 and included preparation of a detailed of the survey Eglin Parkway right- of-way. SDA was also responsible for coordinating with Gulf Power in obtaining an estimate for their costs to underground the utilities along Eglin Parkway, and to estimate a cost to prepare the construction drawings and for contract administration regarding the project. Ms. Fowler advised that after thorough discussion by the CRA and MPB Boards, as well as previously discussed by Council, the CRA Board recommended that Staff identify additional funding sources and recommended that options for City Council direct Staff to have the Phase" construction documents prepared by the consultant. Dr. Joe Foster, 34 Park Circle, questioned the sustainability of power as opposed to beautification, and was advised that is not the issue addressed. being Jay Odom, owner of Uptown Station, advised the City has the opportunity to set up a frameWork for redevelopment through private capital investment, and that the aesthetics of an area sets a tone for the City. 44 o o 11/22/ 05 EGLIN PARKWAY FEASIBILITY STUDY ( CONT) Chris Gibson, 249 Brooks Street, agreed that commercial investment provides income to the CRA, nonfl"ere-siCfenfs. Mr. Minich moved to direct Staff to identify options for additional funding sources and to have the consultant prepare Phase II construction documents. Mr. Campbell seconded motion. Council stressed the importance of continuing with the project, to finish what has been started, and to come up with funding alternatives, including grants. Further discussion included the Beal Neighborhood project and the need to rid the area of blight, and not to concentrate on one small area of the CRA District. The City Manager advised this phase will allow the City to receive a firm estimate from Gulf Power for the cost of undergrounding utilities. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried by a vote of 6 to 1 with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Hartwell, and Minich in favor and Pullen opposed. RECESS The meeting recessed at 8: 55 p. m. RECONVENE The meeting reconvened at 9: 00 p. m. REVIEW COMMITTEE FOR FINANCE DIRECTOR SELECTION Consideration of approval of Finance Director Selection Review Committee Members, if approved selection of a City Council Member to serve on the Review Committee as outlined in the backup report. Further, request authorization to revise the recruitment schedule to extend the application deadline an additional three weeks as outlined in the backup report Mark Wiltsie, Human Resource Director, explained that due to the small number of applications, Staff is requesting the application deadline be extended until December 16, 2005. He further requested Council approve the City Manager, Human Resources Director, MIS Director, a partner with the firm of O' Sullivan Creel, LLP, and the Okaloosa County Finance Officer as members of the Review Committee responsible for screening and pre- interviewing the ~ pplicants for final interview and appointment by Council. Mr. Wiltsie further stated Staff is recommending a City Council member to be a part of the Committee as well. Mr. Tucker moved to confirm the following individuals as members of the Review Committee to assist in the process to fill the pending vacancy for Finance Director: Joyce Shanahan, City Manager; Mark Wiltsie, Human Resources Director; Dominick Fiorentino, MIS Director; Steve Jay, Partner, O' Sullivan Creel, LLP- Destin Office; Gary Stanford, Okaloosa County Finance Officer (pending approval to serve by the Clerk of Court); and a City Council member. Mr. Minich seconded motion. J  11/22/ 05 o o 45 FINANCE DIRECTOR REVIEW COMMITTEE ( CONT) The City Attorney clarified that Council will be able to choose a candidate for consideration that is not included in the pool selected by the Review Committee, without a vote of Council. It was further stated the meeting will be held in the Sunshine and advertised, and that any Council member can attend, according to Roberts Rules. Formal minutes of the Review Committee meeting will be kept. The Mayor called