Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 11-08-05 ‎(regular)‎ — reading text

the League of Cities, Quality Cities Magazine that addressed the issue as the " Question of the Month" which seems to limit what one can do for conference calling as far as participation in a meeting. She stated the City Attorney would need to render her own opinion, but the Article is based on the Attorney General' s opinion that it would have to be extraordinary circumstances, and being out of town on business may not necessarily comply with that. Mr. Hartwell asked about workshop meetings when it is informative. The City Manager stated she had not talked with the City Attorney but she and the Mayor discussed the issue a little in an informational way and for hurricanes. She said they could probably listen but probably not participate, they could listen in but she is not sure if they could be counted as being present or be able to vote on any of the issues. Mr. Hartwell expressed a desire for an opinion from the City Attorney and stated he would be happy to listen. The City Manager commented she was not sure they could act on the interaction, which has to be determined, and if there was a comment or a question, she was not sure if the minutes could reflect it. She thought the City Attorney could render a legal opinion on that based on their participation at a workshop or a Council meeting, whether they can listen, merely listen, respond, or vote. Mr. Hartwell then mentioned the email, telephone calls, and face- to- face encounters from people telling him Council to keep up the good fight, to work and cooperate with the military and not to work independent of them and not to be pressured. He has had no negative comments and the fact they are working to consider the inputs Eglin and considering what the citizens want is a good thing. CITY MANAGER The City M~ nager handed out a booklet given to the Golf Club Advisory Committee when they reviewed and discussed the budget and quickly reviewed the three major issues addressed by the Committee. One was carts, whether to lease or rent, and the Committee recommended to continue leasing the carts based on the current financial arrangement. Second was on new County membership with an additional capacity of 114 vacant County membership blocks and the Committee voted to allow those people until the 200 mark is reached. Third is an Equipment Capital Improvement Surcharge on every round of golf played of $ 3. 00 whether they rode or walked, and 1. 50 for twilight or nine holes, and the Committee supported the surcharge to be added for the next three years with the funds to be set aside in a Capital Improvement Fund for Equipment and Capital Improvements only. She will incorporate that into the budget process and bring to Council based upon their recommendations to increase those fees. It was commented that the raise in rates would have to be promoted and marketed very carefully. The City Manager mentioned that staff cannot do what Council is asking them to do based on the current fees. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8: 20 p. m. APPROVED: ATTEST: MAYOR: CITY CLERK I I I I I I 1  MIN~ OF THE COUNCIL WORKSHOP ~ TING 291 OF nrtClTY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, ~ RIDA OCTOBER 25, 2005 INTRODUCTION A Council Workshop Meeting of the City Council of Fort Waltoh. Beach, Florida, was held on Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at 5: 30 p. m. with the following members" present: Mayor Mike Anderson Councilmen: Mike Holmes, Bill Patterson, Bob Campbell, Jim Tucker (arrived at 5: 55 p. m.), Dr. Wayne Pullen, Jim Hartwell, and Mike Minich Also Present: Joyce Shanahan, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Mike Burton, Finance Director; 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. RECODIFICATION OF THE CITY CODE Discussion of Ordinances for Recodification of the City Code. The City Attorney explained the majority of the ordinances were discussed by Council at a workshop in May, and that the ordinances that relate to wreckers and City boards and committees of the changes are editorial may need workshops before action is taken. She advised the majority and will update the code and put it more in line with what the code should entail. The City Attorney stated this would be an opportunity for Council to discuss their concerns or ask questions on the ordinances before they are read at first reading, when amendments can be made. Discussion ensued regarding Ord. 1669, Parks and Recreation Services, and whether dogs could remain un)eashed in certain parks. Gene Peters, Parks and Recreation Director, advised there have been a few compl~ ints regarding dogs around the areas of soccer and athletic fields. He stated there has been discussion about limiting certain parks that would not require leashes for dogs. Mr. Minich informed he addressed this subject at the workshop in May and that Council did not have problems with it at that time. He stated he will make a motion at first reading to amend the ordinance to allow dogs to remain unleashed in community or special use community parks. Discussion ensued regarding Ord. 1668, relating to vacancies on City Boards, Committees and to one Agencies. Dr. Pullen suggested the ordinance be simplified to allow that what applies of terms, number of members, excused absences, term limits board applies to all, including length for chairman, etc. The City Attorney explained the rules for the Board of Adjustment and Code Enforcement Boards are set out in the code, while other issues for boards are set by State Statutes, including membership and attendance. She stated the vacancy issue is different and quorum is a problem on some boards; and in her opinion,the City Clerk is a disinterested person who can address the issues with the board to ensure each board is fully manned. 292 o o 10/25/ 05 CITY CODE ( CONTI Ord. 1670 relating to the spending authority of the City Manager for equipment and vehicle repairs was discussed, and the need to raise the spending authorityfrom.$20, 000 to $ 25, 000 to allow the I..' City Manager to properly administer City government. I Mike Tatum, Purchasing Director, explained the lengthy bid process and that increasing the City Manager's spending authority would speed up the process. Ord. 1671 pertaining to wreckers was discussed. It was suggested the ordinance limit the distance a vehicle is towed to the City limits so citizens do not have to travel a distance to get their vehicle. The City Attorney advised this particular ordinance may require a workshop to enable Council to get an explanation on state and county regulations regarding wreckers, and how City regulations would effect enforcement. The City Attorney explained that Ord. 1667 relating to fire alarm systems is necessary for health and safety, and it clarifies inter-departmental concerns between police and fire departments, as well as how false alarms are dealt with. QUARTERLY REPORTS Presentation of Quarterly Investment Performance Reports for the General Employees Pension Plan. Due to time restraints, consensus was to have the quarterly report given during the Council meeting when the establishment of a small/ mid cap investment portfolio is discussed. RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE FOR FINANCE DIRECTOR Discussion of a recruitment schedule for the Finance Director' s Position. Due to time restraints, consensus was to discuss this item at the end of the regular meeting of the City Council. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS The Mayor announced the Fire Safety Poster Contest on Friday, October 28 at 4 pm at Fred Hedrick Center, and that he and the Mayor Pro Tem are unable to attend. The City Clerk will contact Council to see who is available to present the awards to the winners of the Poster Contest. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS/ ANNOUNCEMENTS The City Manager informed Council that because of performance issues with D& J for hurricane removal, she plans to re-bid for services for hurricane debris removal in January. She explained that because of the recent hurricane activity, it is unlikely the re- bid services will be as low as they have been in the and she wanted Council to be aware of that possibility. Consensus of past, COllncil was to re- bid the contract. The City Manager also informed Council that the contract with Earl King Farms for sewage biosolids disposal is up for renewal, and Mr. King is requesting an increase of $2. 50 per month for his delivery fee. John Hofstad, Utilities Director, advised the cost would increase to $ 37. 50 per month, and feels that is an excellent cost. The City Manager stated the contract renewal will be coming before Council in the next couple of weeks. 10/ 25/ 05 o o 293 1i WESTWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH The City Manager advised a complete report is in Council's boxes in\ response to the letter from j the Westwood Baptist Church. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6: 45 p. m. APPROVED: MAVOR: ATTEST: CITY CLERK  C0 U{LGLTt- b OuTw r<\\ 1 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 25, 2005 INTRODUCTION A regular meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was held on Tuesday, October 25, 2005, at 7: 00 p. m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, with the following members present: Mayor Mike Anderson Councilmen: Mike Holmes, William Patterson, Bob Campbell, Jim Tucker, Dr. Wayne Pullen, Jim Hartwell, and Mike Minich Also Present: Joyce Shanahan, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Mike Burton, Finance Director; Toni Craig, City Attorney; Department Directors and Media. CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting