Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 01-24-06 workshop minutes — reading text

MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING 89 OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 24, 2006 INTRODUCTION A Council Workshop Meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was held on Tuesday, January 24, 2006, at 5: 30 p. m. with the following members present: Mayor Mike Anderson Councilmen: Mike Holmes, Bill Patterson, Bob Campbell, Jim Tucker, Dr. Wayne Pullen, and Mike Minich Absent: Jim Hartwell Also Present: Joyce Shanahan, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Finance Director Vacant); Toni Craig, City Attorney; and Department Directors. CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting to order. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Mayor led in the Pledge of Allegiance. DISCUSSION OF WRECKER ORDINANCES Mr. Minich moved to table this item until the other items have been discussed. Dr. Pullen seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, and Minich in favor (Hartwell absent). TELEPHONIC PARTICIPATION AT COUNCIL MEETINGS is Mr. Minich moved to table this item until the February workshop when Mr. Hartwell Holmes, Patterson, present. Mr. Tucker seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, and Minich in favor (Hartwell absent). COUNCIL PROTOCOL to the Council discussed several items of concern regarding the behavior of a member of Council considered to to be incomplete City Manager and Staff via e- mails and requests that are some and unreasonable. is on in Dr. Pullen responded that as an elected official, he has a responsibility to know what going that he is a very the City. He advised he does not always agree with the City Manager, and to know all the facts in order to make an appropriate decision. Dr. detailed individual who likes in her job; however, he feels Pullen recognizes he cannot interfere with the City Manager doing and the to know what is going on in the City. every Council member has the responsibility duty in June of The Mayor noted the Council Rules of Conduct and Protocol, which Council adopted its rules. He noted the 2004, and the Charter which says that the Council shall establish own information leads the Staff to implications in some e- mails from Dr. Pullen that Staff "sanitizes" board or committee believe they cannot be trusted to do their job. The Mayor also feels that if any information from Staff, then that board needs to come feels they are not receiving the proper forward. for certain City Dr. Pullen disagreed with the Mayor' s comments that he is a " carrier pigeon" boards. The Mayor asked if anyone else would like to comment on the subject. 90 01/24/ 06 COUNCIL PROTOCOL ( CONT) Mr. Tucker asked that the problem be defined, since he feels Dr. Pullen is simply expressing his opinions in writing or vocally. Mr. Campbell expressed his feeling that the information requested by Dr. Pullen is over-abundant and vague, and that Staff has enough to keep them busy without responding to unreasonable requests. Mr. Holmes questioned what Dr. Pullen is looking for in requesting the information; if he is looking for some particular issue, to let all of Council know so they have the facts and reasoning behind the requests. Mr. Holmes also feels that Council cannot constantly micro- manage what Staff is doing, and he does not feel that Staff is keeping any information from Council. Mr. Patterson stated he does not feel anyone should be criticized for being thorough in what they do; however, he did express concern over the vast amount of paperwork generated through the various requests. Discussion ensued regarding the fact it is not just the various requests that are a concern; it is the tone and the reasoning for the information. It was noted that the tone suggests Staff is doing something incorrectly; other times, requests are vague. The Mayor advised that Council is provided with status reports of all projects, as well as the weekly updates from the Staff. Mr. Minich stated his thoughts that when the requests of one council member far exceeds the requests of the other Council members put together, this decreases the efficiency of City staff. He also questioned why it was that when an issue is resolved, Dr. Pullen continues to request information on it. Mr. Holmes asked Dr. Pullen if he asks for information and he is not receiving it, to advise the rest of Council. Otherwise, if he is getting the information, why all the negativity in his requests. The Mayor noted many times that chairmen of City boards have thanked Staff for their hard work and detailed analysis in providing the board with needed information. Mr. Tucker advised he is not prepared to castigate anyone of his colleagues for asking Staff for information. Dr. Pullen responded to comments by saying he is a detailed individual; that no one member can tell the other how to do their job as councilmember; and that he checks into things requested by his constituents and has a responsibility to check out the details. He stated that when he asked for information on Pirates Bay, it was his feeling he did not receive the information he asked for and that he had to get the information from other sources. Further discussion included that everyone has to work on instilling trust among Council and Staff. The City Manager responded to comments by Dr. Pullen by stating that if he has the impression Staff has withheld information from him, that is not the t~..:..., '.::,,:.',.' case, and she apologized for anything that might have given him that impression. She advised that there are an abundance of files and L information in storage and that requested information, for whatever reason, may not be available, but that in no means is an intent to withhold the information. She also responded that when anyone accuses her or Staff of withholding information, it does a disservice to the City. She also responded to his comments regarding the Pirates Bay issue, the whole situation was out of her control, and she did not stating purposely withhold information from him.  91 01/24/ 06 COUNCIL PROTOCOL The City Manager informed that Dr. Pullen' s constant barrage of e- mails is demoralizing to the Staff, and they cannot get the work of the City done because Staff is spending countless hours chasing vague requests. Staff is always willing to provide information, and she respectfully requested that any requests be specific and direct, and to provide Staff with the needed information to respond in a timely, informative matter, The City Manager stated she wants a professional dialogue and working relationship with Dr. Pullen and all of Council, and that if she in any way offended him, she apologizes. Dr. Pullen stated it is not necessarily the City Manager but members of her staff he feels he cannot trust. Council asked to move on to the next item of discussion. DISCUSSION OF LED STREETLIGHTS Dr. Pullen discussed the feasibility of using LED ( Light Emitting Diodes) in the future in areas of the City. He explained LED street lighting is being used out west, and saves about 70% of energy costs and puts out better lighting than the conventional street lighting. Dr. Pullen had no specific direction for Staff regarding LED streetlights, just to keep it in mind for future consideration. PAINTING OF WATER TOWER The City Manager explained the elevated water tank at the golf course needs painting and that a two- toned color scheme is being considered, and will cost between $ 5, 000 and $ 8, 000. 00. She asked Council to consider this as it will be brought up at the end of the regular Council meeting. WRECKER ORDINANCE Mr. Holmes explained there is a problem with non- consent towing, which is when a person does not authorize a company to tow their vehicle from an accident scene or no parking zone, and that it is difficult for people to retrieve their vehicles. He informed there are several different methods on how restrictive the City can be and how much governance needs to be placed on this particular issue. The City Attorney advised she has provided examples of towing ordinances from Leon County Tallahassee), Bay County (Panama City), Escambia County ( Pensacola), and Okaloosa County Crestview). She explained what is presently in the code is the regulation only of the rotation system wreckers; there is no regulation of private tows, nor are there any regulations