Okaloosa County BOCC — December 18, 2012 — Minutes — reading text

FOR OKALOOSA ISLAND AND WESTERN DESTIN DUNE VEGETATION PROJECT Mr. Daniel O’Byrne, Tourist Development Director, requested approval to work with the Purchasing Department to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Okaloosa Island Dune Flora Restoration and Beach Access Management Project and the Western Destin Beach Restoration Project. He noted that it would be good to begin these projects by April 2013. Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Boyles, to approve the issuance of the RFP and to begin the projects as soon as possible. 5 yeas. TOURIST DEVELOPMENT – UPDATE ON TOURIST DEVELOPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS Background: On June 19, 2012, Greg Stewart, special counsel with the Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson Law Firm, made a presentation to the Board regarding recommendations in light of the initial investigation into fraud issues. A number of updates have been provided since implementation of the recommendations. Mr. O’Byrne detailed those recommendations made by Mr. Stewart at the June 19, 2012 Board meeting. His report included details on when the new policies/procedures were implemented and their impacts. He stated the Tourist Development Department (TDD) Director must now prepare an annual strategic marketing plan in advance of any funds being disbursed. Mr. O’Byrne said TDD and Peter A. Mayer Advertising, Inc. will prepare that plan for proposed marketing expenditures. It will first be presented to the Tourist Development Council (TDC) for review and then to the Board of County Commissioners for final approval. He said there will be specific oversight for sponsorships and event funding. December 18, 2012 -11- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Parisot made motion that no special event funding be approved until all documents, including accountability and after action reports, are submitted and approved by the Board. Mr. Boyles said Mr. O’Byrne previously stated those items must come before the Board for approval. Mr. Parisot withdrew his motion. Mr. O’Bryne continued with his PowerPoint update. One of the recommendations concerned accreditation and certification. Mr. Windes asked Mr. O’Byrne if he intends to participate in the Certified Destination Management Execution Program, to which Mr. O’Bryne replied in the affirmative. RECESS – The meeting was recessed at 7:25 p.m. and reconvened at 7:30 p.m. PUBLIC WORKS – PROMOTION FUND GRANT AGREEMENT Mr. John Hofstad, Public Works Director, requested approval to enter into a grant agreement with the Gulf Coast Seafood and Tourism Promotional Fund in the amount of $450,000. This grant (BP funding) will be used to evaluate the county’s off-shore reef system. Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Windes, to approve the grant agreement and to authorize the Chairman to execute same. 5 yeas. PUBLIC WORKS – FINAL PROPOSAL FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT ENHANCED 1+1+1 RECYCLING SERVICES Mr. Hofstad stated negotiations have been ongoing with Waste Management Inc. regarding possible expansion of an enhanced recycling services program, also known as 1+1+1, throughout the franchise areas of Okaloosa County. Currently, Waste Management is contracted to provide a 2+1+1 service. This means two garbage pickups a week, one recycling pickup per week, one yard waste pickup per week, and on-call pick up of bulk items. The service area includes approximately 30,000 homes. Mr. Hofstad reviewed the enhanced recycling pilot program for two subdivisions in Shalimar which began in September. At these locations, 18-gallon bins were replaced with 96-gallon bins. He referred to a state mandate of 75% recycling by 2020. Mr. Hofstad noted we are currently at the 20% recycling mark. A survey was conducted of those participating in the pilot program. Mr. Hofstad said 82% of those responding to the survey December 18, 2012 -12- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners rated it good to excellent and 81% of those responding expressed a desire to keep the program. Mr. Hofstad reported that on December 10, 2012, Waste Management offerred the following: • Waste Management will purchase carts at an estimated cost of $1.5 Million • Waste Management will offer a reduced rate of $9.45 per month per dwelling for 1+1+1 (current montly charge is $10.93) • The county will retain ownership of the carts upon termination of the contract • The county will automatically honor a five-year extension of term of the existing collection and transfer station agreement which would thereby extend the Waste Management contract to March 2021 Mr. Hofstad reviewed the cost-saving benefits to the citizens ($1.48 per month or 13.5%). The county would realize a reduction in the collection fee of $532,800; a disposal fee reduction of $105,215; and an estimated recycling revenue increase of $121,000. Mr. Amunds asked what the penalty is for not reaching the state goal of 75% recycling. Mr. Hofstad replied there is currently no penalty. Mr. Amunds asked if the cities could piggy back on these rates. Mr. Hofstad said the municipalities have different contracts and he cannot answer the question. Mr. Curry pointed out Solid Waste is an enterprise department and the revenues go back into maintaining the system. Mr. Hofstad spoke on the importance of building reserves because of the responsibilities associated with maintaining four closed landfills. Mr. Parisot distributed a sheet entitled “Results of the 1+1+1 Enhanced Recycling Pilot Program.” Mr. Amunds opened the floor for public comment. Mr. Bill Miller, Shalimar, stated that he is in the pilot program. He said he understands the Board and staff are looking at the interests of the county as a whole but sometimes you need to pay more for a service. Mr. Miller stated the green cans stink and you cannot leave them in your garage and most of the time the cans are left at the curb, noting that is not aesthetically pleasing either. Mr. Miller pointed out there are December 18, 2012 -13- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners already problems with bears and coyotes. He questioned the change in service without substantial rate reductions for the customers. Mr. Harris said the Board has tried to walk cautiously on this issue and as Mr. Boyles remarked, the numbers should be looked at carefully. He advised the bottom line is a savings of $1.48 to the customer and that information was not available when the survey was conducted. He questioned whether the responses would have been so favorable if that data had been presented. Mr. Harris stated that is a savings of $1.48 for a 50% reduction in services. Mr. Richard Webber, Poquito Lane, asked when the trial (pilot) program will end. He commented that he will gladly pay $1.48 for two garbage pickups a week. He said that he has been paying the same price as other customers for only one pick up. Mr. Amunds answered the pilot program is scheduled to end on December 31. Mr. Harris stated there are three options: extend the trial, cancel the pilot program, or return to 2+1+1. Mr. Webber asked which commissioners are in this pilot program. The answer was none. Mr. Mark Hammer, Poquito Bayou, stated he agrees with his neighbors which have already spoken. He said “I am no spring chicken” and added there are neighbors older than him which have problems getting the large cans to the road. Mr. Hammer stated many of the residents do not generate enough to recycle and the 96-gallon container is only one-third full. He expressed concern that the older residents try not to tip the large container, or themselves, over when taking it to the street. Mr. Hammer stated he asked for a smaller can and received one. He requested if the Board does go with the 1+1+1 program, the county address the issue of helping seniors get containers they can move around. Mr. Amunds replied Waste Management does have a program to provide this type assistance. Mr. Hammer asked if it is advertised, saying his senior neighbors do not know about the program. Ms. Samantha Stibick, Fort Walton Beach, spoke in favor of the enhanced recycling program. She said that she does not recycle because the can she now has is not large enough. Ms. Stibick was in favor of having the garbage trucks coming down the street only once a week. December 18, 2012 -14- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Ms. Dominique Farmer, Waste Management, confirmed they do offer an assistance program for senior citizens to get the cans to the curb. She said smaller cans are also available. With regard to the odor problem, she said this could be overcome if customers will bag their garbage. Ms. Farmer noted you would be amazed at what can be recycled, saying the only items which cannot be recycled are food and Styrofoam. Mr. Amunds asked if a decision is made to go with the enhanced recycling program countywide and someone wanted to have a 2+1+1 service, could that be arranged. Ms. Farmer responded they do have a valet service but there would be a substantial cost increase. Mr. Harris said his first comment was the customer cost should be cut by 20%. With regard to the state sustainability issue, he felt it was just “crap.” He reiterated with this plan, the customers are getting a 50% reduction in services. Mr. Harris said he personally likes having his garbage picked up twice a week. He added that the only way to convince him this is a good proposal is to increase the cost reduction to customers. Mr. Parisot took exception to Mr. Harris’ interpretation of the reduction in services. He stated the volume is the same. Mr. Parisot said he did see some overflowing garbage cans but that was because the residents did not recycle. Mr. Boyles stated not only is the issue complicated but so is the math associated with it. He noted there are many things to be considered: transfer station charges, Waste Management transferring the trash out to a landfill, recycling calculations, commodity market, etc. Mr. Boyles pointed out there is nowhere to dispose of garbage in this county and it must be transported elsewhere. He also referred to the unfunded government mandate to reduce the waste stream. Mr. Boyles felt this to be an opportunity to “get ahead of the game” by being proactive. He said there could be a penalty for noncompliance by 2020. Mr. Boyles commented that he was very impressed with the way this issue has been conducted. He noted that of those pilot program participants who responded to the survey 81% wanted to see it continue. Mr. Boyles stated Waste Management has brought forward an overall reduction which would allow the county to meet the unfunded mandate. He stated in the area in which he lives, he must provide his own trash can and there are no bulk, December 18, 2012 -15- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners recycling or yard waste pickups. Mr. Boyles supported moving forward with the proposal. He recommended the option of the county reducing customer costs by another 35 cents be considered after one year to see how the program is going. Mr. Windes stated that he looks at this issue differently than any of the other comments expressed so far. He said he respects all the work which has been done by county staff. Mr. Windes noted that he did study this issue and the comments he has received are different than those in the survey. He advised that the residents who have spoken with him are concerned about only one garbage pickup per week, about the smell, and about animals being attracted to the garbage. Mr. Windes said the current contract expires in 2016 and he believes in the next