Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 03-09-2010 regular — reading text

vacancy, and advised that nominations will be 13th. taken tonight, again on March 23, 2010, then vote on the appointment April He noted the vote will be confined to persons nominated and the person appointed will fill the seat until the City election in 2011. The Mayor offered anyone interested in filling Seat 2 an opportunity to address City Council. Bob Hudgens, 256 Ventura Circle, discussed his background and participation in community and business Adjustment for three years, and expressed his activities, including being a member of the City' s Board of interest in being appointed to Seat 2 of the City Council. Janet Wilson, 368 Gardner Drive, discussed her business and community participation and that she is a member of the City' s Municipal Planning Board for six years, and stated she would like to be a member of the City Council. The City Attorney clarified there are no restrictions on Council at this point on the number of nominations or on whom they nominate; Council can nominate someone whether or not they are present and whether or not they have submitted a letter of interest. She said whether or not they are qualified will be addressed after they are nominated.  107 Regular Council 3 -9 -10 NOMINATIONS FOR COUNCIL SEAT 2 cont. The Mayor opened the floor for nominations from City Council. Mr. Patterson nominated Glenda Glover, 115 Waynel Circle SE and Janet Wilson, 368 Gardner Drive SE. There were no further nominations this evening. DISCUSSION OF SHARIAH COMPLIANT FINANCIAL PRODUCTS Discussion of Shariah- Compliant Financial Products. Mr. Patterson read a statement regarding the dealings of financial institutions compliance with the " Shariah - Compliant Finance" Products that is providing a pipeline for funneling money to international terrorist groups that are engaged in war with our country. He asked Council to unanimously approve a motion authorizing the City Attorney to draw up an Ordinance to prohibit the City of Fort Walton Beach from doing business with AIG, HSBC, UBS and CITIBANK, institutions that do not agree to transparency in divulging their association with the " Shariah — Compliant Finance" Products. He also asked Council to authorize the Mayor to ask the Florida League of Cities to sponsor a House Bill forbidding the State of Florida from engaging in financial transactions with the same until full disclosure and transparency is provided by these named financial institutions. He clarified he is not saying not to do business with them if they provide transparency. He said this is a discrete way to finance terrorism. The City Attorney said if Council were inclined to adopt a local ordinance she would have to research it. She stated Council can set their investment and banking policy. The City Manager said he could look into the issue to see if there are ramifications as he did not know if there are federal or state laws, and staff could return with more information before Council votes on an ordinance. During discussion it was mentioned that the book was written as an opinion paper in 2008; that two of the institutions are under investigation by the F.B.I.; reluctance was expressed to task staff to spend time to find out whether or not the issue is valid; that the banking industry is highly regulated and the federal government has a watchful eye on the situation; that a grass -roots movement starts at the local level; and that each Councilmember could research on their own and return in the future with a more defined goal. The Mayor opened the floor for public comment. Kelly Cook, Pensacola Field Director of ACT! For America reiterated that an ordinance does not attempt to ban or prohibit any kind of Shariah finance, it does not call on any financial institution to stop offering Shariah - compliant products; it does prohibit the local government from doing business with those institutions until such time as those financial institutions provide full transparency or full disclosure. He discussed the background of the Shariah- Compliant Finance since 2001 and submitted the major reason it is not heard about in the mainstream media is because there is a lot of money involved. He expressed the hope that the local government will respond as he believed it is a bottom -up proposition. He explained that ACT! For America is a counter- terror organization. Lt. Col. ( Ret) Carmen Reynolds, 26 Sunnybrook Drive, Navarre, FL mentioned she will travel to Tallahassee tomorrow to meet with legislators to help them realize they do not want Shariah law. She mentioned the number of terrorist training camps inside the United States, said this area is a prime target because of the military bases, and that Council is in a position to take the first step. She described the type of training given to terrorists to kill Americans and asked Council to take a stand to stop the funneling of money into activities to kill Americans. Lee Bobo, resident and elector of the City questioned what Shariah -Compliant will do for the City and wished to know just what they do and how they do it. ME: Regular Council 3 -9 -10 SHARIAH COMPLIANT FINANCIAL PRODUCTS cont. Mr. Patterson said Fort Walton Beach would be the first to pass this law and make a stand. Mr. Bobo wished to know how not using certain financial institutions will prevent terrorism. He questioned how many Cities in the State of Florida subscribe to what is being proposed then suggested that someone on Council get that information from that city. Mr. Cook stated this is very new as it was discovered only months ago and Fort Walton Beach would be the first City in the United States to pass an ordinance. As there was no one further who wished to speak public comment was closed. Mr. Patterson moved to move forward with a resolution to authorize the City Attorney to research whether there would be any repercussions and return with her recommendations in four weeks. Motion failed for lack of a second. CITY MANAGER REPORTS The City Manager stated the Fraternal Order of Police have submitted a contract and if there is no objection from Council he will schedule an Executive Session to discuss and receive direction from Council on Monday, March 15th at 2: 00 pm with the Mayor, City Council, City Attorney, City Manager, and the Labor Attorney in attendance. There was no objection from City Council. The City Manager stated he had another request for a Special meeting on Tuesday, March 23rd at 5: 00 pm to see a presentation and discuss the Soundside Development project. The City Manager asked the Finance Director to discuss the on -line budgetary survey the Finance Department is developing. Brandy Wunker, Finance Director, explained they are looking at developing a survey /exercise on the web site where citizens will be allocated a $ 100, 000 budget to distribute to the services and programs they believe to be important. She said it is hoped to get a lot of feedback from the citizens and from the input they hope to gauge the level of importance the citizens' place on the City' s services and programs. She said they are thinking of running it through May then they will gather all the results to provide to Council as part of the budget proceedings. During discussion agreement was expressed on the concept but concern was expressed on the credibility of the results if there was no control on who can respond, and the desire was expressed that a method be developed with the ability to distinguish between non -city residents and city residents input received. MAYOR/ COUNCIL COMMENTS Mr. Rynearson commended the Police Department for their tremendous effort in dealing with the murder last week and in achieving results in less than 48 hours. He implored Council to provide sufficient documentation for items to be placed on the agenda. Mr. Patterson added congratulations to the Police Chief for achieving quick results and mentioned there are three economies in the City: the military, the tourist, and the drug dealers; and the police department needs support in doing everything they can. Mr. Nabors voiced excitement over the interest in the vacant Council seat and encouraged everyone to stay active in the City. Mr. Reeves requested there be a future agenda item on the Stormwater Utility Fee to hear the achievements of the team on the stormwater capital improvements that have been made. He mentioned he was approached by realtors about the possibility of Council considering a letter of support when a large commercial retail business is considering a move to this community. He added his congratulations to the Police Chief for a swift finish to a murder case.  109 Regular Council 3 -9 -10 MAYOR/COUNCIL COMMENTS The City Manager explained the reason letters of support from City Council would be problematic is that if an issue comes before Council it exposes Council to bias. Mr. Holmes added that it is a function of the Chamber of Commerce and the EDC. Mr. Holmes echoed the comments about the Police Department and all the individuals interested in the vacant Council seat. The Mayor mentioned the Florida League of Mayors work to rate legislation and how much unfunded mandates harm the cities; echoed the comments on the Police Department and added that the Fire Department was also praised in the obituary; mentioned he presented a " Hero Award" to an eleven year old student at St. Mary School for her brave act in stopping the school bus when the driver slumped over; mentioned City right -of w - ay employee Leah Price went above and beyond when she turned in checks and business papers that were found; 200' mentioned Construction Junction on March at the Fairgrounds from 9: 00 a.m. until 2: 00 p.m.; mentioned plans are being made for Billy Bowlegs pirates to come to town; and mentioned the Museum' s new program Pirates, the Last Scourge of the Gulf'. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7: 30 pm. APPROVED: MAYOR: ATT ST: r AI ITY CLERK ddm