Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 09-11-2007 regular agenda — reading text

the idea but, I would rather sell the east side of the grounds where the ball fields arid playground are located. a. The 16. 3 acres are entirely situated on the right ( east) side. b. The entire facility is antiquated and requires a major update. c. The sizes of the existing ball fields are too small for today' s requirements. It is doubtful if ':. the existing land area is sufficient to upgrade to the tournament requirements of today' s competitive softball. d. The remaining two ball fields, if the west side is sold, are insufficient to hold a major : tournament. e. The restrooms need major upgrades. f. The concession stand needs a major upgrade. g. The ball field' s lights do not meet today' s requirements and are grandfathered in; however, they would have to meet the new standards if replaced. h. The city would retain property facing Lewis Turner. i. The Farmers Market would remain in tact. Parking for the overall complex would increase with the addition of the Court House Annex parking spaces. j. The government facilities of the court house and fire station would be in the same general area. k. Maximum effective use of the available acreage would be realized. I. The city would be able to apply for grant funds to build a new modern softball complex in the future. 3. I support the sale of land to the County but, let's make sure that it is the better piece of property. There is no best piece, just one that is better that the other. Finally, I don' t think the county really cares which piece that get as long as they get it. Council discussion included that a formal contract has been offered by the City and accepted by l the County, and all that needs to be done is the formal signature of the agreement; that the $ 2 million check from the county will be placed in the general fund and used to payoff the debt for the property and take that debt service out of next year' s budget. Dean Covey, 270 Brooks Street, received clarification that the contract states a judicial center would have to be built within five years, and if not, the City would have first rights of refusal to repurchase the property at the same price it was sold to the County. 116 Regular Council Meeting 8/28/ 07 FAIRGROUNDS SALE DISCUSSION ( CONT) Mr. Miller stated his feeling the County should be encouraged to place the building as close to Lewis Turner as possible to protect the ballfields and the playground. Mr. Miller was also advised that the County will work closely with the City and bring any plans to Council not necessarily for approval, but for input into the process. No action was taken by Council on this item. PROPOSAL FOR STATE LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES Consideration of a request to authorize the City Manager to solicit a request for proposal for state legislative support services. o The City Manager explained her feeling that legislative support is needed to assist the City in receiving funding for community budget requests in three major categories including storm water, parks and recreation, and local emergency management. She continued that state grant funding and special appropriations from the Florida Legislature is getting increasingly competitive, and that the state will begin discussing a new Super Homestead Exemption and other issues that continue to impact the home rule authority of local governments. The City Manager cited the importance that the City have an active voice in these issues and to have assistance in gaining for community budget requests. The City Manager advised it is estimated the cost of these services to be approximately $40, 000 to $ 60, 000 and that a line item will be added in the FY 20070- 08 budget an expense lint item. Discussion included that the City would be looking to hire a professional lobbyist and that there are individuals and firms in the state to provide these services, and that these professionals include former state representatives, attorneys who concentrate solely on lobbying issues, and that they are registered by the State and must possess certain requirements. Mr. Minich moved to authorize the City Manager to solicit for state legislative support services. Mr. Holmes seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor (Reeves absent). MAYOR/COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Minich stated he filled in for the Mayor at the Latino Festival and that it was a wonderful event and he had a good time. Mr. Hartwell was advised the ribbon cutting for the Sound Park should occur before September 30th. Mr. Hartwell also advised he was approached regarding installing two Purple Martin birdhouses at the Sound Park; the City Manager advised she would contact the individual. Dr. Pullen informed of the golf tournament taking place for Headstart and that Council will be receiving information on it shortly. Dr. Pullen questioned whether City employees have the prerogative to elect not to collect certain fees that have been passed by Council, and the City Manager advised they did not. Dr. Pullen stated that the CDS Director said at a Council meeting she is not collecting certain fees in order to be business friendly. The City Manager advised that the CDS Director provided a staff report o in response to the questions; that Staff is not selectively not collecting fees; that the City is following the letter of the law as it is; that fee adjustments and new fees are part of the budget process; and that she believes that is not what the CDS Director said and that is not what the City is doing. Dr. Pullen said a verbatim could be done; the City Manager advised to provide her with a specific date and time of the Council meeting in question and she will see that a verbatim is done.  117 Regular Council Meeting 8/ 28/ 07 MAYOR/COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS ( CO NT) Dr. Pullen also noted that Council will receive an invitation to an open house at McGriff Center on September 27 to rededicate the memorial. Mr. Garvie stated he attended the Florida League of Cities ( FLOC) Conference and learned about the Disaster Recovery Plan, whereby when presented and approved by FEMA, they will pay 5% more than the actual losses by a city during a disaster. The City Manager advised this plan is being looked into. Mr. Miller also attended the FLOC Conference and stated he gained a lot of information from the conference. Mr. Miller also congratulated the City Manager for being recognized as one of the outstanding women of the area. Mr. Miller also attended his first meeting of the NW Florida Fairgrounds Board, and announced the upcoming fair in November. Mr. Holmes informed he was approached by a citizen who praised the Police Department for their quick response and professionalism during an emergency. Mr. Holmes also noted the members of staff and the citizens who attended the NW Florida Transportation Corridor meeting. The Mayor thanked the Mayor Pro Tem for attending the Latino Festival. He also mentioned the Striving for Perfection Mentoring Telethon and noted the importance of this program. The Mayor echoed Mr. Holmes' comments regarding the NW Florida Transportation Corridor and mentioned the letter from the CEO of First City Bank thanking Missy McKim for her presentation regarding the corridor. The Mayor advised that Police Chief Litschauer was named an Honorary First Special Operations Mission Support Group Commander at Hurlburt Field. The Mayor congratulated the City Manager as being a finalist for the county' s Outstanding Women Hall of Fame Award Program. The last thing the Mayor mentioned was the Florida League of Cities Conference ( FLOC) was a success and he will share his thoughts in a memo. He did mention that discussion at the FLOC included a fire services initiative whereby CRA funds can be used for EMS and fire services, and new legislation would be needed for this venture. CITY MANAGER ANNOUNCEMENTS The City Manager stated a press release will be sent out tomorrow notifying the citizens the City' s recycling program will be dissolved after September 24; and that notices will be placed on the doors of citizens who have recyclables picked up by the city. The City Manager also noted the drug dogs have been trained, and starting next month two will be police officers will receive their training and at the end of September, a presentation made to Council on the officers and the dogs. The City Manager announced that City staff is hosting a pancake breakfast on September 22 at Magnolia Grill for the American Heart Association and Council is being asked to serve at the breakfast.  CITY COUNCIL MEETING September 11 , 2007 Consent Agenda Consideration of a request to approve the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant Agreement in the amount of $ 100, 713 Utilities Director) Council Action 1st 2nd Vote: 3 Agenda Item Number:  CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH MEMORANDUM To: Joyce Shanahan, City Manager From: Sam Wilson, Environmental Specialist Through: John Hofstad,Utilities Director Date: August 28, 2007 Subject: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant Agreement Lower Choctawhatchee Bay Coastal Conservation" Background: The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation accepts proposals through their North Gulf Coast Initiative (NGCI) grant program for projects that will benefit living resources throughout the North Gulf Coast Region. The NGCI is a program that is offered to encourage community- based restoration projects that will benefit living marine resources extending from Apalachicola Bay (Fl.) across the Mississippi Sound into Texas. The NGCI program is funded through a partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration' s (NOAA) Community-based Restoration Program (CRP). Through the CRP, grass- roots marine and coastal habitat restoration projects are funded that will benefit anadromous fish species, commercial and recreational resources, and endangered and threatened species. The of local communities program/ partnership is designed at improving the environmental quality around the nation. On September 27, 2006, City staff submitted a grant proposal tided UJwer Choctawhatchee Bqy Coastal Conse1'tJation