Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 03-14-06 regular minutes — reading text

Street District. Mr. Minich seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. RES. 06- 05: NON- BINDING REFERENDUM ON BRIDGE The Mayor read the resolution by title. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, REQUESTING THAT THE OKALOOSA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PLACE A NON-BINDING QUESTION ON THE FALL BALLOT, ASKING THE VOTERS ABOUT THEIR DESIRE FOR A BRIDGE TO OKALOOSA ISLAND. Dr. Pullen moved to adopt Res. 06- 05. Mr. Campbell seconded motion. Mr. Minich commented the referendum is to determine whether or not there is public support for a bridge and objected because it is a county-wide referendum but it is Fort Walton Beach that will be affected. He commented the Bridge Authority has had a 4 ~ year process to select a corridor and solicit public support and explained the reason he believed the Bridge Authority has failed to get public support. Mr. Minich moved to postpone the motion to adopt Res. 06- 05 indefinitely. Mr. Holmes seconded motion. Mr. Minich commented that Mr. Prescott with the State stated at the last Bridge Authority meeting that unless the Bridge Authority had public support, they will not get funding to go forward. He expressed his belief that the Bridge Authority will now listen to the public. He went over some negative impacts of a referendum which included the cost and a county-wide vote. Dr. Pullen agreed and noted a referendum can be placed on the city election next March so the citizens of Fort Walton Beach can express their opinion. Mr. Tucker expressed his support to let the people vote and wondered, if the referendum should go forward, if it should ask if there is support for a toll bridge.  Regular Council 3- 14- 06 137 RES. 06- 05 cont. The Mayor mentioned there may be a need for a replacement bridge which may be a different alternative than a toll bridge. Mr. Holmes agreed a county-wide referendum would create an opportunity for other people to influence what happens in Fort Walton Beach when it is the city residents who will be impacted. Mr. Hartwell expressed that Council is responsible for the citizens of Fort Walton Beach, not the County and likes the suggestion of a referendum next March for the citizens of Fort Walton Beach. Upon request, Mr.Minich repeated the motion is to postpone the main motion, indefinitely. The City Attorney explained to postpone indefinitely means discussion would not ensure on that particular motion, on the resolution and would basically end the debate. She stated what would have to happen is a new motion would be made, a new resolution would be made; if it were tabled, it would be to table the exact same resolution. Chris Gibson, 249 Brooks Bridge, encouraged Council to place the question on the City ballot next March, and asked Council to send the resolution to the County and the Supervisor of Elections so the citizens of Fort Walton Beach only can vote on the issue. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion to postpone the motion to adopt Res. 06- 05 indefinitely and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. Mr. Minich moved that the City of Fort Walton Beach recognizes the need for solutions to our transportation issues and stands by ready to work with the Emerald Coast Bridge Authority, our Okaloosa Walton County Transportation Planning Organization and all interested parties to arrive at solutions that meet the needs of all of our citizens; however, the City of Fort Walton Beach objects to and strongly opposes any traffic solution that includes the following: 1. The Hollywood Bridge corridor. 2. A toll bridge in the Brooks Bridge corridor. 3. Any of the Brooks Bridge corridor locations suggested by Figg Engineering. 4. Any traffic solution within the Brooks Bridge corridor that has more than a minimal impact on the downtown area of Fort Walton Beach. And that a letter (or resolution) be sent to the Emerald Coast Bridge Authority and to the Okaloosa Walton Transportation Authority before their meeting on Thursday, March 16, 2006. Mr. Tucker seconded motion. During discussion on working with the Bridge Authority and all interested parties to arrive at an acceptable solution, it was pointed out a letter would be faster than a resolution. It was suggested that the letter also be sent to the Governor, all elected officials above the city, and the Transportation Corridor Authority. It was further commented not to lose sight of a referendum next March to hear the voice ofthe citizens. It was mentioned that the motion will provide parameters to work toward a solution that would not negatively impact the City and the downtown area. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. The Mayor mentioned he has been invited to a WSRE public broadcasting forum on Thursday night to talk about proposed bridges and that he will relay what was discussed this evening. There followed some discussion on the progress of the Advanced Transportation Management System. Tom Murray, Public Works Director, explained the challenges faced by the County during Phase ill ofthe project. It was suggested the encourage the County and the TPO to do what it takes to give the system the proper resources. City  3- 14- 06 Regular Council 138 HOUSING AUTHORITY APPOINTMENT Consideration of Mayor' s appointment to the Fort Walton Beach Housing Authority. Mr. Tucker moved to approve the Mayor' s appointment of Pat Thornber, 342 Holmes Blvd., to serve on the and it Housing Authority Board for a four year term until March 13, 2010. Dr. Pullen seconded motion Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. carried unanimouslywith Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD APPOINTMENT Consideration of appointment to the Code Enforcement Board. Dr. Pullen moved to appoint Beth McHenry as a regular member on the Code Enforcement Board for the unexpired term until April 26, 2007. Mr. Tucker seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. mSTORIC SITE BOARD APPOINTMENT Consideration of appointment to the Historic Sites Board to fill vacancy for unexpired term until May 13, 2006 or a four year term until March 13, 2010. Mr. Minich moved to appoint Mark Sockman, 41 Stewart Circle, to serve on the Historic Sites Board for a four year term until March 13, 2010. Mr. Hartwell seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. Some discussion was held on the suggestion that some of the Boards/ Committees meet quarterly to help with attendance or that Council establishes a policy on excused absences. Council suggested the issues be problems discussed at a future meeting. MAYOR/COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Campbell complimented the Public Information Officer for putting together an excellent publication of the City' s 2004/ 05 Annual Report. He stated Dominick Fiorentino has been a wonderful asset to the City and will be missed due to his retirement. Fernando Chaves, 300 Eglin Parkway, NE, Erika ofNW Florida, Inc. stated he was told to be at the Council meeting on the reduction ofthe fine and questioned why he has to pay $5, 000. 00. Mr. Chaves received clarification that under the consent agenda Council approved a reduction of the accrued $ 51, 940. 00 fine and a release of the lien on his property upon payment of $5, 000. 00. Mr. Chavis expressed he is doing a good job to make his property look good, that $ 5, 000.00 is a lot of money to him, and suggested the City pull a license when it is discovered a permit has not been obtained for work. It was suggested Mr. Chaves bring his concerns to Council at their next workshop meeting on March 28th. Dr. Pullen asked that he be officially appointed as Council representative to the EDC until 3- 31- 06 in place of Mr. Tucker who cannot attend because of his schedule. Mr. Minich moved to appoint Wayne Pullen as Council representative to the EDC until 3- 31- 06. Mr. Tucker seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes,Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. Dr. Pullen received a status report on the republication ofthe Code and Comprehensive Plan update. He received an explanation on the procedure for first reading of the upcoming height ordinances on March 28th, and expressed concern the City is being too restrictive in the banking RFP' s. sl Mr. Minich announced the TPO workshop on March 21 at 6: 30 p. m. at the Fort Walton Beach Library to discuss the 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan. He also suggested that the Council workshops be moved to the first meeting of the month and asked that the issue be placed on the March 28th agenda. He requested information on the cost of Police Services for the Musical Echoes in April and stated insurance for events should be provided prior to permission for the event.  Regular Council 3- 14- 06 139 MAYOR/COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENT cont. The Mayor advised he attended the Waterfronts Florida workshop and it was well attended. He reported the one cent sales tax will have to be revisited by the Okaloosa County League of Cities since Destin will not address the issue and the County wants all nine cities to support it. He commended the youth group from Corpus Christi working on the Habitat for Humanity house, and announced that Battalion Chief Gene Large will receive the National Medal of Honor in Washington D.C.for his life saving efforts. CITY MANAGER ANNOUNCEMENTS The City Manager advised the cost to paint the City seal on the water tank would cost $ 25, 000.00 and a three- color paint scheme to paint the wave and Fort Walton Beach in 6' lettering would cost $ 18, 600.00. The Utilities Director explained the City seal and lettering was too crowded on the tank and staff recommendation is to proceed with the three- color paint scheme. Mr. Tucker moved to approve the three- color paint scheme and lettering for the water tank at the quoted price of $18, 600. 00. D r. Pullen seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. The