Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 11-26-07 special minutes — reading text

four positions to The Police Chief expressed there are advantages to participating in a joint task force. No action was taken by Council. 2 2 icial Council 11- 26- 07 STUDY cont. Recommendation # 32 - consider reallocation of a position to the function of parking enforcement. (City Manager disagreed) The City Manager mentioned an alternative is to train a code enforcement officer but did not think it will generate any real revenue. The Police Chief commented the parking issues are episodic and primarily during special events. No action was taken by Council. Recommendation # 33 - consider increasing the fine for violation of fire and handicapped parking zones. City Manager agreed) I The City Manager commented there is some potential to increase the fines and suggested they be reviewed as they do the on- going budget. There was consensus of Council this is an on- going issue. Recommendation # 34 - research carefully the costs and benefits of opening another DROP window for employees who quality. ( City Manager had limited agreement) The City Manager commented if the recommendation refers to an early retirement window, she concurs; if the recommendation refers to a drop program, she did not concur. She recommended re- evaluating in the future whether or not Council would want to open another early retirement window. Dr. long clarified the recommendation was to re- evaluate an early retirement window. The Police Chief agreed it is worth exploring. No action was taken by Council. RECESS The meeting recessed at 9:45 p. m. RECONVENE The meeting reconvened at 9: 53 p. m. Recommendation # 36 - research the options and costs associated with retaining the services of a private company for processing traffic incidents ( accidents and crashes) and then recouping the cost from the insurance provider of the driver at fault. (City Manager agreed). The City Manager mentioned the City cannot charge individuals and can only charge the insurance company, and sometimes they pay and sometime they do not. She said staff would like to continue to explore the issue. The Police Chief commented Florida is a no fault state which further complicates the issue. No action was taken by Council. I Recommendation # 37 - consider the option of decriminalizing the " open container" ordinance and replace instead with an administrative fine - $ 50 or $ 100. ( City Manager disagreed) The Police Chief was not in favor of decriminalizing the open container ordinance. No action was taken by Council. Special Council 11- 26- 07 229 STUDY cont. Recommendation # 38 - consider increasing the fees charged for: City wrecker service; fingerprints; alarm permits; false alarm response; taxi permits; records/ background checks; report copies; bike registration; parking service - fees/ meters; and impound and storage fees. ( City Manager disagreed) The City Manager mentioned the false alarm policy was recently addressed, they do review the fees every recommended no action as this time. year, and the City is limited statutorily on what can be charged, and No action was taken by Council. Recommendation # 41 - create an internal user fee review committee with the goal of identifying user fees, particularly for non- residents. ( City Manager had limited agreement) The City Manager mentioned staff has begun to explore the co- operative with the County and did not believe a committee is needed. She suggested staff continue to look at ways to increase revenues. She commented the City receives boating improvement funds for Liza Jackson Park so the City cannot charge differently for non- residents. She said staff believes a charge for boat launching is appropriate and will bring forward a recommendation in the future. There was consensus of Council this is an on- going issue. Recommendation # 42 - reconsider current private contractor relationships ( P & R) at the next negotiation opportunities. Halt any City subsidies of operations to those private operations as soon as this is possible. ( City Manager had limited agreement) The City Manager mentioned the subsidies for the tennis center and the BMX track have been reduced this year. She said they have three year contracts and they know it is subject to the continued availability of funding. No action was taken by Council. Recommendation # 43 - provide landscaping services to the library and not hire a private contractor when those services can be provided by Parks & Recreation Department with existing personnel. ( City Manager disagreed) Jeff Peters, Parks & Recreation Director, disagreed with the recommendation because of the current work load of the existing personnel and commented the maintenance contractor cleans up three times a week. No action was taken by Council. Recommendation # 52 - institute a fee for pick- up of large household items. ( City Manager disagreed) The City Manager mentioned the fee was eliminated years ago and staff found it helped decrease illegal dumps. No action was taken by Council. Recommendation # 54 - update the yard waste ordinance to reflect appropriate restrictions/ limitation with current equipment. ( City Manager agreed) The City Manager agreed this needed to be looked at and staff would prepare the appropriate ordinance amendment during this fiscal year. There was consensus of Council to move forward. 23~ cial Council 11- 26- 07 STUDY cont. Recommendation # 58 - revise the Utilities Department organization structure and Ordinance 1659 to reflect actQal organizational relationships. ( City Manager agreed) The City Manager noted staff concurred with the recommendation and will implement the change this fiscal year. There was consensus of Council this is an on- going issue. Recommendation # 59 - in Utilities, retain the Administration and Stormwater Divisions and establish two new divisions that And incorporate the other four current divisions. ( City Manager disagreed) Recommendation # 60 - eliminate the Wastewater Operations Superintendent ( current vacant) and I establish a Treatment Plan Division Manager position. ( City Manager disagreed). The City Manager reported the Utilities Director did not agree with the recommendations as it did not appear that realignment will improve departmental efficiency and the vacant position was filled. She mentioned the Utilities Director suggested as an alternative to eliminate the Wastewater Supervisor position through attrition and eliminate the maintenance mechanic and service worker II position ( also through attrition). There was consensus of Council to move forward. Recommendation # 61 - the Service Worker III in Wastewater Construction, who is responsible for sewer line video inspection, should report to Collections Systems. ( City Manager agreed) The City Manager comment staff agreed with the recommendation, that it is a reporting change not a reclassification. John Hofstad, Utilities Director, mentioned the position is already occupied and they anticipate no cost involved with the change. No action was taken by Council. The City Manager commented the report was a useful exercise both for Council and staff. She said staff will continue to refine the operation to limit expenses. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10: 20 p. m. APPROVED~~ 7 a?; q; ~ MAYOR: A~( CITY CLERK j.~ I ddm