Okaloosa County BOCC — October 4, 2013 — Oxctober 15, 2013 Regular Meeting — reading text

“renovation” and “rebuild.” Mr, Turner replied he consulted with Mr. Dowd and he October 15, 2013 ~16- Minute Book 70, Page . 106 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners is satisfied with the language of the document and the Board’s direction is not limited in scope. Mr, Windes said the fact remains we are half way across the stream riding this horse and he is not going to be party to Mr. Parisot’s suggestion. He said the firm has done a tremendous amount of work on the project and has a vested interest. Mr. Dowd confirmed that he believes the language of the contract is broad enough to include new construction. Mr. Harris agreed you shouldn’t change horses in the middle of the stream. Mr. Amunds asked if there is a motion and Mr. Harris replied yes he will make that motion. Mr. Windes said he will make the second. Mr. Harris said he was taken off guard and asked if a motion is needed or direction only. Mr. Hofstad stated the consensus of the commissioners at the last meeting was to go with a new three-story structure. He said the design- build team needs direction to go forward with that preferred option. As discussion continued, Mr. Amunds asked for a motion to clarify. Mr. Windes stated he will make a motion but Mr. Harris already has a motion on the floor. Mr. Harris told him to go ahead. Mr. Windes made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to extend the contract document with Lord & Son Construction and to provide direction to proceed with plans for a new three-story building. Mr. Boyles said the scope may need to be narrowed and said the authorization should be to authorize Lord & Son to proceed to the next phase and narrow the focus on design. Mr. Christopher concurred. Mr. Amunds stated he will not support a third story or shelled space for future growth. Mr. Harris said he thought this had been discussed and decided. Mr. Amunds told Mr. Harris he is correct and the vote was 4 to 1. Mr. Hofstad stated the third floor does not have to be shelled space. He said if it can be used, remodeling of the old Fort Walton Hospital will not be needed. Mr. Hofstad stated Lord & Son can narrow the focus and return with cost estimates. 5 yeas. FACILITIES MAINTENANCE — CHANGE ORDER TO DESIGN-BUILD CONTRACT FOR SHALIMAR ANNEX Mr. Turner presented a change order to the design-build contract for the Shalimar Annex with Lord & Son to include concept and schematic drawings for the Crestview Courthouse renovation/ addition. He said the change order is for a not-to-exceed amount of $100,000. However, Mr. Turner stated county policy limits the amount which can be added to an existing contract by October 15, 2013 -17- Minute Book 70, Page 107 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners change order. He said he can bring this item back with fresh documents to reflect a not-to-exceed amount of $45,000. Mr. Boyles said this is interesting to him because this went through the department head and legal and he is only now being informed of this clarification of policy. Mr. Brannon commented he was never told the proposed amount of the task order was to be $100,000. Mr. Boyles asked how many dollars he thought it would cost for the Courthouse and then made motion, seconded by Mr. Parisot, to table consideration of this item for Clarification. 5 yeas. HUMAN RESOURCES ~ APPOINTMENT OF SCREENING COMMITTEE FOR TOURIST DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR POSITION Mrs. Kay Godwin, Human Resources Director, requested appointment of a screening committee to review employment applications for the Tourist Development Department Director position. The current director has resigned effective November 1, 2013. The position is being advertised with a deadline of October 23, 2013 for submission of applications. Mrs. Godwin reported 65 applications have been received. The recommended appointments are Commissioner Kelly Windes, County Administrator Ernie Padgett, HR Director Kay Godwin, University of West Florida Executive Director Susan Shaw, and Ramada Plaza/Destin West RV Resort General Manager Joe Guidry. Mr. Harris made motion to make appointments as outlined above. Mr. Parisot said Ted Corcoran has volunteered to sit on this committee. Mr. Amunds replied Mr. Corcoran lives inside the Fort Walton Beach city limits and added that many other people have asked to be on the committee. Mr. Parisot withdrew his recommendation and seconded Mr. Harris’ motion, Mr. Amunds stated when the County Administrator’s position was being filled, the five-member committee interviewed the applicants and then a public “get together” was held to see how candidates interacted with the public. He said he would like to again set up a reception for candidates. Mrs. Godwin replied HR can facilitate that request. Mr. Windes said he can support this recommendation. Mr. Parisot requested Mr. Padgett have an in- depth interview with the candidates before it comes to the Board for a decision. Mrs. Godwin pointed out the screening committee will make the recommendation to the Board. The vote was taken on the committee appointments—5 yeas. October 15, 2013 -18- Minute Book 70, Page 108 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners HUMAN RESOURCES — COUNTY ATTORNEY RECRUITMENT Mrs. Godwin stated HR is accepting applications from individuals interested in a full-time county employee position as County Attorney. This vacancy announcement is posted as “continuous.” She reported 35 applications have been received. Mrs. Godwin pointed out that at the September 3 meeting the Board directed staff to also accept proposals from firms which might wish to provide the County Attorney services through a “hybrid approach” with a private law firm.- She reported Mr. Boyles worked with staff in preparing a Request for Letters of Interest for Legal Services as County Attorney. Acceptance of letters of interest will be opened for a 30-day period. Mrs. Godwin requested direction from the Board on the review process. She advised there is no established procedure for a contracted position working directly for the Board. Upon inquiry by Mr. Amunds, Mrs. Godwin stated the notice for letters of interest has not yet been issued. She said it is still being reviewed and is currently in the Purchasing Department. Mr. Dowd commented that he has not yet seen this draft notice. Mrs. Godwin’s agenda request included a suggested list of names for a screening committee. They were Commissioner Boyles, County Administrator Padgett, HR Director Kay Godwin, and a representative of the Okaloosa Bar Association. A representative of the Purchasing Department will facilitate the reviews. Mr. Parisot asked about Mr. Dowd sitting on the screening committee. Mr. Boyles said he spoke with Mr. Dowd and he believes Mr. Dowd’s many years of experience provides the greatest value for the Board. He stated Mr. Dowd will be Sitting with the Board when it makes a decision. Mr. Parisot stated he wants to see a copy of all resumes and all applications. Mr. Amunds questioned Mr. Parisot’s request to review as many as 60 applications. Mr. Harris said he has no desire to look at all of them. Mr. Boyles remarked Mr. Parisot does not have to have the Board’s approval to review the applications and letters of interest, saying any citizen can do that. Mr. Boyles made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to establish the committee as suggested by the HR Director, and for the committee to review both individual applications and letters of interest from law firms. The Board will then make a October 15, 2013 -19- Minute Book 70, Page 109 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners determination on hiring an individual as a county employee or contract with a private firm for a hybrid approach for County Attorney services. 5 yeas. OLD BUSINESS ~ COMMISSIONER PARISOT'S REPORT ON FAC LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE Mr. Parisot stated he attended the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) Legislative Planning Conference held in Palm Beach September 18-20. His report highlighted issues in each of the following workshops: e Federal Committee e Finance, Tax, and Administration Committee e Public Safety Committee *« Growth Management, Transportation, Agriculture & Environment Committee e Health & Human Services Committee Mr. Parisot made specific comments on flood insurance and use of bed tax pennies. He stated he submitted an agenda item to allow County Property Appraisers/Clerks of Court to charge a filing fee for Value Adjustment Board review of taxable property assessments that will equitably recoup the counties’ costs for the programs instead of the current maximum fee of $15. OLD BUSINESS - REINSTATEMENT OF ERNIE PADGETT TO FULL-TIME STATUS Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Boyles, to reinstate Mr. Padgett to full-time active status as County Administrator following his recent temporary medical leave of absence. 5 yeas. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Amunds opened the floor for public comments. Ms. Vicky Gojia-Smith, 7 Bayou Drive in Fort Walton Beach, presented a complaint regarding improper maintenance of vacant property adjacent to her home. She distributed photographs of a lot with fallen trees and overgrown with high weeds and vines. Ms. Gojia-Smith pointed out one of the trees is leaning toward her property and she is concerned it will fall on her home. She said the vines and weeds are encroaching onto her property as well. Ms. Gojia-Smith also reported the overgrown lot has October 15, 2013 -20- Minute Book 70, Page 110 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners become a haven for animals and individuals using illegal drugs. She wanted the property turned over to her. Questions were posed about Code Enforcement. Mr. Elliot Kampert, Growth Management Director, advised the County Code has no provisions for vegetation management. He said he does not know if the county has a legal right to force anyone to trim trees overhanging into someone else’s yard. Mr. Kampert stated the Code is specific about orthopods causing disease but has no reference to snakes. Mr. Parisot commented that he has seen overgrown lots throughout the county, often taking pictures of them. He said Code Enforcement cannot do anything and feels it is the responsibility of the property owner to maintain his/her property. Mr. Parisot stated the property owners owe it to their neighborhoods to maintain their properties. He said the ordinance is not enforceable and believes it is time for the Board to take an action so the ordinance is enforceable. Mr. Amunds stated the issue for Ms. Gojia-Smith is the trees and animals and suggested her concerns be addressed. He asked for staff’s recommendation. Mr. Kampert replied the Board could adopt an ordinance for vegetation management. He stated he will be returning to the Board with a request to increase the Code Enforcement staff and if a new ordinance were to be adopted regarding vegetation, he would certainly need more staff. Upon inquiry by Mr. Amunds, Mr. Kampert said he doesn’t know if the subject lot is in its natural state or if it was once cleared and has grown back. He stated he would not recommend going after lots in their natural vegetative state. Mr. Boyles said he cannot support an ordinance of this nature. He advised overhanging limbs between neighbors has recourse in the court system. He stated he is not interested in playing referee. Mr. Boyles maintained this is a boundary line dispute but staff should be given direction on how to proceed. Mr. Harris said he cannot support an ordinance on vegetation management either. Mr. Parisot asked if there is any support for a stricter ordinance. He noted he has been working with staff on this for three years. Mr. Parisot stated until there are three votes to support such an ordinance, there is no sense in taking more time on it. October 15, 2013 ~21- Minute Book 70, Page ill Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Ms. Gojia-Smith said she has no right to go on the property and trim the