Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 09-27-05 — reading text

etc. DISASTER ASSISTANCE IDEAS/ HURRICANE KATRINA The City Manager updated Council on City employees who will assist with the disaster, including three members of the Fire Department participating on the DMAT Team, six members on the STRIKE Force, and the Police Chief is awaiting word on providing assistance through the Florida Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster (VOAD). The City Manager reviewed several ways the City can assist, including coordination with relief agencies; adopting a Sister City in the effected area and providing assistance to them, to include staffing, equipment, financial, shelters, or supplies; assistance providing through the VOAD; and soliciting and collecting of needed items, such as toiletries and baby goods. The City Manager informed that City employees have offered financial contributions via payroll deductions and/ or the buy back of sick and vacation time. She indicated that employees have questioned whether the City may want to match, at some level, any employee contributions to disaster victims. c-\ 248 9/ 1/05 c' o DISASTER ASSISTANCE IDEAS ( CONT) The Mayor advised that Eglin Air Force Base has been asked to provide support to approximately 1, 000 evacuees from Keesler Air Force Base, and they are looking for places to set up some 250 bed hospitals and a tent city. He suggested some areas in the City, such as the fairgrounds, may be used to house these people, and that is a way the City can assist. Several ideas were discussed, including the local mayors forming an organizational board to provide information; providing a centralized location for evacuees to stay who may be in the area for the long term; publishing employment information; and having directional signs on the roadways for pertinent locations, such as FEMA, grocery stores, pharmacy, etc. The Mayor advised that representatives from the various agencies are available to discuss how the City can assist their efforts. Bill Robinson from the United Way encouraged monetary contributions to the local agencies, and explained the effected areas do not have a central location to drop off donated items. Mr. Robinson advised that funds designated to a specific city will be given to that city; otherwise, general contributions made to the local United Way will be sent to the United Way of America and disbursed to effected areas as they see fit. Dr. Herschel Adams, representing the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Organization, that partners with Red Cross and Salvation Army, stressed the need for regional coordination of local relief efforts in the way of emergency housing, food, etc. Aaron Thrush, president ofthe local Sharing and Caring organization, commended Council for having this meeting. He discussed the mental health aspect of this disaster and that it needs to be considered. Lenora Wilson representing the Bridgeway Center, informed that counseling services can be provided to victims through Bridgeway and if the City adopts a Sister City, they would like to piggyback onto the City' s efforts with that city. Molly Cadagin, professional storyteller, advised the children will need someone to talk to, and she is available to volunteer her services to do storytime with the children. Ms. Cadagin also suggested offering a challenge to bookstores to donate small paperback books to be disbursed when a central location is established for the children. Bob McLaughlin asked everyone to donate the gift of blood. Council discussed the importance of adopting a Sister City and determine their needs, and to begin collecting funds to send whether by payroll contributions, etc. Also important was the City acting as a central location for information for those coming to town. The City Manager advised that Staff, on Council' s direction, can begin to look for a Sister City, but would need Council's approval to allow employees to donate sick/vacation time and cash out, and that Council may want to match the employee contributions at some level.  c o 9/ 1/05 249 DISASTER ASSISTANCE IDEAS ( CONT) Mr. Patterson moved that for c every dollar contributed by City employees, that the City contribute $ 1. 00 to match it. Mr. Hartwell seconded motion. Mr. Minich reminded Council that there is still two months to go in hurricane season, and the possibility exists that the City could take the brunt of another hurricane and may need the funds for its own needs. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried by a vote of 6 to 1 with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, and Hartwell in favor and Minich opposed. Mr. Holmes moved to allow City employees to donate their sick and vacation leave. Mr. Hartwell seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. Mr. Holmes moved to direct Staff to identify a Sister City and report back to Council by Wednesday, September 14, 2005. Mr. Patterson seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. The City Manager requested Council' s endorsement for the City to coordinate efforts with relief agencies and act as an information center. Mr. Holmes moved for the City Manager to coordinate with relief agencies and allow the City to serve as a collection conduit for these agencies. Mr. Minich seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. Discussion ensued regarding individual contributions from Council members; the City Manager suggested that before any additional contributions are made, that she come back to Council and advise them what the total City contribution is, so Council can decide if additional matches are desired. Further discussion included the fuel situation for the City vehicles. The City Manager advised there is currently sufficient fuel for vehicles, City but is investigating conservation methods should the need arise, including once a week trash collection. The City Manager reminded Council that only $ 1. 96 a gallon for fuel was budgeted for next years budget, and this could cause a significant impact on the City' s budget. RELOCATION OF MUNICIPAL PLANNING BOARD MEETING The City Manager announced that the Municipal Planning Board has been moved to the Senior Center on Memorial Parkway at 5: 00 p. m. due to no air in the Council conditioning Chambers. 250 9/ 1/05 c o OHIO PLACE SALE/ POSSIBLE LITIGATION The City Attorney advised that an e- mail has been sent to Sand Pine Realty regarding their listing of the property for resale when a condition of sale was to develop the lot into a single-family residence. She requested Councils approval for herto pursue litigation on the matter if the conditions of the sale are not met. Dr. Pullen moved to authorize the City Attorney to pursue litigation against Sand Pine Realty if the conditions for sale of the property at 301 Ohio Place are not met. Mr. Minich seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned for the evening at 1 : 05 p. m. APPROVED: ATTEST: MAYOR: CITY CLERK  251 UTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIQEETING OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 7, 2005 INTRODUCTION A special meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was held on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 at 5: 30 p. m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, with the following members present: Mayor Mike Anderson Councilmen: Mike Holmes, Bill Patterson, Bob Campbell, Jim Tucker, Dr. Wayne Pullen, Jim Hartwell, and Mike Minich. Also Present:Joyce Shanahan, City Manager; Mike Burton, Finance Director; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Toni Craig, City Attorney; Department Directors and Media CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. He requested anyone who wished to address Council to approach the podium after being recognized, and then state his or her name and address for the record. PLEDGE The Mayor led in the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC HEARING - PROPOSED MILLAGE Consideration of adopting the Proposed Ad Valorem Millage Rate for FY 2005/ 2006. The Mayor stated the proposed millage rate for Fiscal Year 2005/ 2006 is 4. 9700 mills, which is 18. 71 % above the rollback rate of 4. 1868 mills. The rollback rate is the millage rate that will provide the same Ad Valorem tax revenue as was levied the during prior year. The 18. 71 % percentage increase is the percentage increase in property