Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 06-01-2010 special — reading text

that the TDC be asked to help fund the museum. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, gossom, Reeves, Minich, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. Quality of Life —Library Hours Policy Decision: Should the City reduce library operating hours; discontinue adult/child programs, and passports. The presentation included information that the library is open 50 hours a week Monday 10 -8, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9 -6, Friday 10 -5, and Saturday 10- 4; that revenues from the Cooperative are anticipated to decrease by 46% or $ 68, 889; that staff proposes using the Harvey Trust to fund $ 35K for books and publications; that reducing the hours of operation to 38 -40 hours a week and staggering hours with other libraries would yield operating savings while maximizing the available library hours for residents; reducing hours of operation and eliminating the adult services librarian and another librarian would decrease staffing by two for a personnel savings of $80K and a $ 2, 200 operating savings; passport acceptance would no longer be possible with $ 10K revenue lost; similar services are provided by Destin, Mary Esther, and Niceville libraries; and the mills required to sustain $ 72K for the current library operations is 0. 0668 mills. Trisha Gould, Library Director, mentioned that each employee does many things during the day from the backroom operations to assisting customers. She explained the passport acceptance was cut back as staffing was cut, the book budget has been cut, they went to part-time janitorial, and grounds maintenance is done by city staff. She noted if the City opts out of the Library Co -Op that there would still be customers coming through the door and they would have to charge the County residents. The Mayor opened the floor for public comment. Pat Thornber, 342 Holmes Blvd., commented as the economy goes down she buys less books and increase her library usage, and the library staff is necessary. As no one else wished to speak public comment was closed. Mr. Reeves moved to reduce library operating hours and discontinue adult programs and passport acceptance. Mr. Rynearson seconded motion. Discussion included an exchange of thoughts on the need to address opting out of the co -op; whether nine employees are too many for the library; whether the library can work with the senior programs; and whether there are other ways to off s-et the budget. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it failed by a vote of 0 to 7 with no one in favor and Holmes, gossom, Reeves, Minich, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson opposed. Quality of Life —Recreation Programs Policy Decision: Should the City close Hedrick Center, reduce Docie Bass and Chester Pruitt. The presentation included information that the Hedrick Center needs to be closed at least temporarily for structural and environmental assessment; that self supporting - recreation programs and a scaled back self - supporting summer care program could possibly be offered at the Senior Center or Chester Pruitt based on space availability. Special Council meeting 6 -1 - 10 169 Ouality of Life —Recreation Programs cont. The presentation continued with information that Docie Bass after school care program would be eliminated thereby closing the facility during the day; voluntary pre -k program could not be offered if Docie Bass were closed during the day; that Chester Pruitt programs do not generate any revenues and staffing could be reduced; engineering assessment for Hedrick is due in early August and a decision will be made at that time whether to permanently close, maintain, or renovate the facility; similar services are provided by the YMCA, churches, and other organizations; and the mills required to sustain $ 220K for current recreation programs is 0. 2030 mills. Discussion was held on which direction to take regarding continued operation of programs when the status of the Hedrick Center is unknown at this time. Mr. Nabors moved to close Hedrick Center temporarily, thereby reducing recreation program and summer care, to close Docie Bass during the day, thereby eliminating after school care and voluntary pre- kindergarten programs; to reduce staffing at Chester Pruitt, thereby reducing the hours of operation; with positions to be eliminated to be determined. Motion failed for lack of a second. Alternative for Consideration —Station 7 Manning Policy Decision: Should the City convert Station 7 to minimum manning. The presentation included information that the staffing per shift for Station 7 on Lewis Turner Blvd. is 1 Captain, 1 Driver Engineer, and 2 firefighters; that the current collective bargaining agreement requires minimum manning of three fire suppression personnel per first -in engine or ladder truck; that reducing manning at Station 7 from 4 personnel per shift to a minimum level of 3 may impact public safety and response times due to the 2in/ 2out rule if Ocean City- Wright is responding to another call at the same time; that much of the City' s ISO rating is based on the automatic aid agreement, residents may pay higher insurance rates if manning were reduced at Station 7; eliminating three firefighters would save $ 149K; decreasing manning in this fashion would enable the City to keep Station 7 open as a non -full service station; a fire assessment fee could be established to fund a portion of fire suppression services and is being evaluated for next year' s budget cycle; and the mills required to sustain $ 149K for three firefighters is 0. 1375 mills. The Mayor opened the floor for public comment. Chief Lord, Ocean City-Wright Fire District, suggested a couple of part-time fire fighters could be employed. Shannon Stone, Battalion Chief, commented the biggest issue is it will significantly increase response times and that staffing is important for the safety of the fire fighters. He expressed the hope they have an opportunity to forward some solutions. Larry DiAmco, 6612 Redfield Street, Navarre, President of Fort Walton Beach Professional Firefighters, commented they have to have some measures to allow for vacation and sick leave and a three man level does not meet the NFPA standards. He said it is their responsibility as an association to help and they want that opportunity. As no one further wished to speak public comment was closed. There was no motion made by Council. The City Manager noted there is a tentative Special Council meeting scheduled for June 29`'' if Council wished to delay discussion on the remaining items. 170 Special Council meeting 6 -1 - 10 CITY MANAGER COMPENSATION At the regular Council meeting on May 11, 2010 staff was directed to place this matter on the Budget Policy Meeting agenda for discussion. The City Manager requested this item be withdrawn. ADJOURNMENT As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11: 32 pm. APPROVED:-(, t.( MAYOR: CITY CLERj ddm date completed: June 9, 2010