Okaloosa County BOCC — October 4, 2013 — October 1, 2013 Regular Meeting — reading text

October 1, 2013 Regular Meeting The regular Tuesday meeting of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners was called to order at 8:30 a.m. at the Crestview Courthouse. Members present were Don R. Amunds, Chairman; Dave Parisot, Vice Chairman; Wayne Harris; Nathan Boyles; and Kelly Windes. Also present were Gary J. Stanford, Finance Director, Clerk’s Office; John Dowd, County Attorney; and John Hofstad, Interim County Administrator. EMPLOYEE SERVICE AWARDS Mr. Hofstad presented service awards to the following employees, thanking them for their service to Okaloosa County: Yurii Broughton-----~------- Five Years Brooke Saari--------------- Five Years Sam Field------------------ Fifteen Years Craig Purvis--------------- Twenty-five Years Elaine Courtney------------ Thirty Years Tim Reiling-~--------------- Thirty-five Years (not present) Carolyn Smith-------------- Retirement COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’ S UPDATE Mr. Hofstad referred to the photograph on the screen and stated several employees participated in the Heart Walk and walked in honor of County Administrator Ernie Padgett who is at home recuperating. Mr. Hofstad reported the issue of reapportionment was again discussed at the TPO meeting on September 19 and the county did gain a seat back on that board. Membership for Okaloosa was increased from three seats to four. Continuing, Mr. Hofstad advised that Tourist Development Department (TDD) Director Daniel O’Byrne has submitted his resignation. He asked Board direction in beginning the search for a new TDD Director. Upon inquiry by Mr. Amunds, Human Resources Director Kay Godwin stated when this post was last advertised, it was done nationally. Mr. Harris recommended hiring a “head hunter” agency as was done when the Board sought to fill the County Administrator vacancy. Mr. Boyles requested a timeline for these options. Mrs. Godwin stated the Purchasing Director has advised her it will take six weeks to move forward October 1, 2013 -1- Minute Book 70, Page 68 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners with a RFP for a consultant (head hunter agency). She said the turnaround time for the County Administrator position was about three months. Mr. Harris said he believes there is a capable person available to temporarily fill in at that position. Mr. Parisot felt the county should begin advertising immediately and include language which states an individual with knowledge of the local tourism market is highly desirable. When asked by Mr. Windes how long the process would take to handle the advertising internally, Mrs. Godwin said the notice could be posted immediately and run for thirty days. Including the advertising time, vetting process, and interviews, she said it would take realistically three. months. Mr. Windes pointed out that does not save much time. Mr. Harris requested Susan Shaw of the University of West Florida be included on the applicant review committee. He stated she is very knowledgeable about the local tourism market. Mr. Amunds expressed a desire to have someone on board before the holidays and asked if the advertising window could be cut from 30 days to 21 days. Mr. Boyles felt a local candidate could be found within a 21-day timeframe. He recommended a review committee be established at the next commission meeting. Mr. Amunds suggested advertising in the Southeast region rather than nationally. After the discussion, Mr. Amunds stated the consensus of the Board is to begin advertising as soon as possible for a period of 21 days, to advertise in the Southeastern region of the country, and to emphasize .a preference for a candidate with knowledge of the local tourism market. Mr. Hofstad asked for direction on selection of the review panel. Mr. Amunds said he believes Mr. Windes should be on the committee because he is the TDD liaison commissioner. He directed Mr. Hofstad to work with Mrs. Godwin to bring back a slate of names for the review committee. In other updates, Mr. Hofstad reported interviews for the position of Compliance Officer with TDD will soon be conducted and a recommendation will be brought to the Board as soon as possible. Mr. Hofstad said the Board expressed a desire to have the external auditor recommend corrective measures. He reported that he met with Angela Balent with the Warren Averett firm, Clerk of Courts Don Howard and his staff to discuss this issue. Mr. Hofstad remarked that meeting went very well. He said some October 1, 2013 ~2- Minute Book 70, Page 69 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners of the proposed measures will be of no cost to the county but others will cost money. A follow up meeting will be held this Thursday with a recommendation scheduled to be on the October 15 agenda. COMMISSIONER’ S MINUTE Mr. Harris spoke highly of Mr. Hofstad’s abilities to step in to the position of Interim County Administrator during Mr. Padgett’s absence. He said because Mr. Hofstad has taken on these duties, in addition to running the largest county department (Public Works), he recommends an incentive of 10% to 15% in salary increase be given to Mr. Hofstad from the day he took on these added responsibilities. Mr. Harris made motion to begin the salary adjustment from the date Mr. Hofstad took on the added responsibility of Interim County Administrator and continue that increase while he hoids the position. Mr. Amunds responded that he spoke with Mr. Padgett and Mrs. Godwin on county policy and believes the Board should adhere to its policy. He said if an individual is working out of class for more than 30 days, a 10% increase may be provided. Mr. Amunds recommended considering this proposal at the October 15 meeting when we will be at the 30-day mark. Mr. Harris felt the policy does allow some flux. Mr. Parisot commented the Board took action on September 16 to ratify Mr. Hofstad as Interim County Administrator. Upon inquiry, Mrs. Godwin stated staff will follow the Board’s direction on whether the increase takes place on the 31°* day or some other day. Mr. Dowd opined the Board has considerable latitude and said “It is just a policy.” Mr. Boyles stated that he understands it is policy but it is also about doing the right thing. He said to him working outside of your class is when a crew leader fills in for a supervisor; however, taking on the post of County Administrator is beyond working outside class. Mr. Harris made motion, seconded by Mr. Boyles, to begin the 10% salary adjustment for Mr. Hofstad from the date he took on the added duties/responsibilities (September 16) of Interim County Administrator and to continue the adjustment while he serves in that position. 5 yeas. Mr. Windes, Mr. Boyles, Mr. Parisot, and Mr. Amunds stated they have nothing at this time. October 1, 2013 -3- Minute Book 70, Page 70 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners PUBLIC COMMENTS RELATED TO CURRENT AGENDA Mr. Amunds opened the floor for public comments related to the current agenda. He asked the speakers to please limit their comments to three minutes. Mrs. Rebecca Sherry of Okaloosa Island stated she is President of the Condo Alliance and would like to address Agenda Items 6a and 6b. (These items relate to a bid protest and consideration of awarding a bid for beach cleaning services on Okaloosa Island and Destin under TDD department business.) She said the apparent low bidder recommended by the Purchasing Department will bring new equipment to clean the beaches at a lower cost. Mrs. Sherry questioned the message which will be sent to other bidders if the Board rejects the low bid. She asked the Board to send a message that Okaloosa County is pro-business. Mr. Martin Owen, Regional Marketing Director for Windham Resorts, stated he wants to address the TDD item for the ‘Emerald Christmas” marketing campaign. He said the timing for this promotion is -late and members of the lodging industry consider it a waste of money. Mr. Owen recommended the money for this promotion be redirected to a spring campaign. Mr. Harold LaFountain, Crestview, voiced support of giving the public an opportunity to speak at the beginning of the meetings rather than at the end and thanked the Board for this change. PUBLIC HEARING - CONSIDER CHANGES TO BLUEWATER BAY DRI DO Mr. Stanford read the advertised legal notice for public hearing to consider a change to the Bluewater Bay Development of Regional Impact (DRI) Development Order (DO). The proposed change is to allow a self-supporting communication tower as a permitted use on the parent tract within the area designated as Recreation (R) on the master plan dated October 7, 2008, as submitted by the Lauralee Westine Law Office as agent for the Property Owner, Recreation Services, Inc. Mr. Stanford pointed out this is a continuation of the hearing original advertised before the Board on September 17, 2013. Mr. Dowd asked any individuals who intend to testify today to stand and be sworn’ in. He noted this item will probably be tabled but he is administering the oath as a preparatory action. October 1, 2013 -4- Minute Book 70, Page 71 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Elliot Kampert, Growth Management Director, stated Mr. Stanford has read into the record the legal notice for hearing and today is a continuation of the public hearing from the last meeting. He advised that he does not propose to go back through the staff report as he believes the commissioners and members of the audience are familiar with those details. Mr. Kampert said subsequent to the last meeting, a letter dated September 23, 2013, was received from Ms. Westine, as agent for Crown Castle, requesting a 90-day continuance to the hearing. The reason for the request is because of a death in the immediate family of the owner of the property where the tower is currently located. . The 90-day period is to afford the family time to grieve without the distraction of lease negotiations. Mr. Kampert also noted the applicant has met with local residents. Ms. Lauralee Westine stated at the last meeting she was tasked with setting up a meeting with area residents to discuss the proposed change and to reach out to the property owner of the current tower site, She said a meeting was scheduled with residents, noting there were 85 to 90 people in attendance. Ms. Westine advised that since the hearing, there was a death in the family of the property owner of the current site. It is for this reason she has requested a 90-day continuance of the hearing. Ms. Westine reported they have also reached out to DEP and found a way to make application for a potential tower site at Fred Gannon State Park. She said her client has directed her to file the application with DEP by the end of the week. Ms. Westine requested in addition to a continuance for this public hearing that a continuance also be granted for the Board of Adjustment and final hearing before the Board of County Commissioners. Mr. Amunds asked the County Attorney if it would be acceptable for the county to send a letter of support to DEP for location of the tower at the park. Mr. Dowd replied he believes the Board could do that. Mr. Amunds stated he supports the 90-day continuance because it is the right thing to do. Mr. Boyles agreed. He suggested the Floor be first opened for any citizens who oppose’ the continuance. October 1, 2013 -5- Minute Book 70, Page 72 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Nevel Enderborough, President of the Magnolia Forest II Homeowners Association, stated it makes no sense at all to continue this issue for another 90 days. He feels when the 90 days are up, the petitioner will be back with a request to approve on an emergency basis. He stated the Board could give direction not to locate the tower in a residential area. Mr. Chuck Welch, Bluewater Bay, stated if the request is approved, he will be the third house from the tower and he thinks it is a ridiculous idea to erect the tower in their