Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 08-09-07 special minutes — reading text

Transportation about the CRA potentially funding that project if they were willing to approve it. During review there was further explanation that $ 139, 000 has been earmarked for sidewalks to carryover for next year; and that the City is waiting for a firm dollar amount from Gulf Power to underground utilities on Eglin before it is brought to Council to determine whether or not to move forward. Mr. Minich moved to approve the CRA budget as presented. Mr. Hartwell seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. PUBLIC WORKS Review of the Public Works Department/Engineering, Fleet Maintenance, Service Maintenance, Streets Maintenance, Right- of-Way Maintenance, and the Cemetery Divisions budget included the pavement management process, reduction in the custodial contract services, purchase of a mower for the cemetery, purchase of equipment for the Sanitation Fund, and the companion LED Signs project under Street Maintenance to provide well lit lights at major intersections to assist with maneuverability and circulation of traffic. There was some question on recycling cost. The Public Works Director explained the City does not pay a tipping fee for recyclables which currently go to Waste Management but they will not identify what is done with the materials. He explained even if the City were to pay the fee and cancel the recycling operations, the City would still come out ahead because the recycling operation costs the City money. Special Council Meeting 8- 9- 07 63 PUBLIC WORKS cont. Mr. Miller called a point of order to recommend discussion on Public Works should be completed before moving on to the Sanitation Fund. Further review of the Public Works budget included the asphalt costs, the deletion of the aerial photo & planimetry drawings, and the commercial grade, heavy duty industrial weed eater purchases for the cemetery. Mr. Minich moved to accept the Public Works General Fund budget as presented. Mr. Holmes seconded motion and it carried nanimously with Holmes, Miller, u' Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. Sanitation Fund During discussion on the merits of continuing or discontinuing the recycling function, the Public Works Director pointed out there will be capital outlay expenditures for recycling in future years for the replacement of equipment, and went over the cost of the recycling and the cost savings if the recycling function and three of the four positions were eliminated. Kabe Woods, 240 Brooks Street, received clarification that the residential and commercial tipping fee revenues reflected the annual current year revenues plus approximately 3% increase. He also commented recycling only works if it is forced and mentioned there are vending machines available that will payout for recycled items. Mr. Minich moved to remove the recycling portion ofthe Sanitation Fund, terminating the recycling collection fee, and approve the remainder of the budget as presented. Mr. Garvie seconded motion. The City Manager requested latitude to move the employees Mr. Minich moved to amend the motion to eliminate the recycling program, terminating the recycling collection fee, and to allow the City Manager the discretion or latitude to move the employees over a period of four months, and to approve the remainder of the Sanitation Fund budget as presented. Mr. Garvie accepted the amendment. During further discussion on the elimination of the recycling function it was mentioned that an explanation be given to the citizens that the reason it is being eliminated is because it is not cost effective and the city is losing money on the operation. Mr. Miller moved to amend the motion to say "effective October 1, 2007." Motion died for lack of a second. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion, as amended, to eliminate the recycling program, terminating the recycling collection fee, and to allow the City Manager the discretion or latitude to move the employees over a period of four months, and to approve the remainder of the Sanitation Fund budget as presented and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. RECESS The meeting recessed at 8: 20 p. m. 64 Special Council Meeting 8- 9- 07 RECONVENE The meeting reconvened at 8: 30 p. m. UTILITIES FUND Review of the Utilities DepartmentlWater Operations, Sewer Operations, Water Distribution, Sewer Collection, and Storm Water Division budgets included the study to analyze the water and sewer rates, and the bond issue for upgrades to the waste water plant. The Utilities Director explained the design plans are approximately 95% complete, there will be a little over $4 million left on the bond issue and it is e~ timated an additional $ 8 million may be needed for the improvements to the plant. He pointed out there is still the issue to clear up on the operating permit before they can go any further. Mr. Holmes moved to accept the Utilities Fund budget as presented. Mr. Miller seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. RECESS The meeting recessed for the evening at 9: 30 p. m. to continue on Monday, August 13 at 5: 30 p. m. APPROVED~~ J601 MAYOR: _ ATTEST: Jl,~ h; CITY CLERK ddm F