Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 08-14-12 regular — reading text

Page 4 Printed 3202011  45 Regular Meeting Minutes August 14, 2012 RESULT: APPROVED [ UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Bull Rigdon, Council Seat 6 SECONDER: Bobby Nabors, Council Seat 5 AYES: Griggs, gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Nabors, Rigdon, Rynearson Approval of CRA Development Assistance Grant Funding for 6 & 8 Bobolink Street NE Tim Bolduc, Development Services Director, advised a request for reimbursement of development fees through the CRA Development Assistance Grant Program in the amount of 30, 986. 11 was made for a new multi -family housing development to be located within the CRA at 6 & 8 Bobolink Street NE. Mr. Bolduc continued that funding requests in the amount of 20, 000 require Council approval, and that Staff has found the project is eligible for the funding through the Grant Program. Mr. Reeves moved to approve reimbursement to the applicant from 6 & 8 Bobolink Street NE in the amount of $30,986. 11 through the CRA Development Assistance Grant Program carried unanimously. Dr. gossom seconded motion and it carried unanimously.__ RESULT: APPROVED [ UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dennis Reeves, Council Seat 3 SECONDER: joyce gossom, Council Seat 2 AYES: Griggs, gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Nabors, Rigdon, Rynearson Interlocal Agreement with Okaloosa County for Sanitary Sewer Force Main Michael Beedie, Acting City Manager, advised Hatch Mott MacDonald has completed the final design for renovation to Pump Station No. 1 and a new sanitary sewer force main within close proximity to Okaloosa County's twin 20 -inch force mains. Therefore, the City and County have developed an interlocal agreement to construct a shared 36 -inch force main which will result in significant savings for both the city and county. Mr. Beedie stated if Council approves the agreement, it will go to the county next Tuesday for their approval, and the time of completion will be November 2013. Mr. Rigdon moved to authorize the Mayor to execute an interlocal agreement and any accompanying documents with Okaloosa County for a shared 36 -inch sanitary sewer force main, and for the City Manager to proceed with issuing and advertising the appropriate bid packages for the necessary materials involved with construction of the force main. Mr. Rynearson seconded motion and it carried unanimously. RESULT: APPROVED [ UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Bull Rigdon, Council Seat 6 SECONDER: Dick Rynearson, Council Seat 7 AYES: Griggs, gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Nabors, Rigdon, Rynearson Request for Workshop to Discuss Proposed Recreation Center Mr. Nabors requested a workshop for discussion on the proposed recreation center and athletic complex. He stated this is an exciting venture for the community and he would like the public and various groups to have the opportunity to voice their thoughts and ideas on what they would like to see at the center. City Council ofFort Walton Beach Page 5 Printed 82012012 I Regular Meeting Minutes August 14 2012 Consensus of Council was to hold a workshop for discussion of the proposed recreation center and athletic complex on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 5 pm, before the regularly scheduled meeting. City Manager Recruitment The Mayor announced discussion of the City Manager recruitment and waiving Roberts Rules of Order during discussion of this issue. Mr. Rigdon moved to waive Roberts Rules of Order for discussion of the City Manager recruitment. Mr. Reeves seconded motion and it carried unanimously. RESULT: APPROVED ] UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Bull Rigdon, Council Seat 6 SECONDER: Dennis Reeves, Council Seat 3 AYES: Griggs, gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Nabors, Rigdon, Rynearson Sylvia Hanks, Administrative Services Director, advised the City received a total of 69 applications which were reviewed by Council, and a short list of finalists were submitted to the City Clerk. The City Clerk advised the five finalists were Robert J. Bartolotta, Michael D. Beedie, Graham W. Fountain, Anthony R. Matheny, and Matthew D. Schwartz. Ms. Hanks continued that the next step prior to interviews will be the background checks of the top finalists to include a local, state and national background check, reference check, and various social media checks. She informed this service will be contracted and the process will be conducted by an independent resource. Discussion included the cost of the background checks, which Ms. Hanks advised would be between $ 800 to $ 1, 200 per applicant; travel, lodging, and meals for applicants at about $ 1, 200 to $ 1, 300 per person, depending on their origin of travel; and possible relocation costs that would be incurred if an applicant were hired from out of the local area. Mr. Rigdon advised he has read and reviewed all of the applications and feels that Acting City Manager Michael Beedie is qualified and the right person for the position, and that the City should promote from within. Mr. Rigdon stated appointing Mr. Beedie at this time would not only save the city money, but would save employees another eight weeks of uncertainty regarding the leadership of the City. Mr. Rigdon moved to appoint Michael Beedie as City Manager. Mr. Rynearson seconded motion. Mr. Rynearson stated his feeling this is the right way for the City to proceed, and noted Mr. Beedie has handled various issues and situations with tact in his role as Acting City Manager. Mr. Reeves stated his support for Mr. Beedie and asked for the thoughts of his fellow councilmembers. Mr. Nabors stated Mr. Beedie has done a great job in his role as Acting City Manager; however, he believes the hiring process should be followed through to ensure the best candidate is selected, and noted there are always expenses incurred with the hiring process. Cary C,. n, d ofFort W. h, n Beach Page 6 Printed 8/ 2020!?  47 Regular Meeting Minutes August 14, 2012 Mr. Goodwin stated his feeling that Mr. Beedie is an asset to the City, but that he agrees the process is necessary as the City has come this far and it needs to be followed through. Mr. Goodwin did express concern over possible expenses and that the City should investigate ways to keep down any costs dealing with the process. Dr. gossom reiterated her feeling on Mr. Beedie' s ability, but noted the process was circumvented with the hiring of the last three city managers and ended negatively for the City, and she also believes the hiring process should be followed. Dr. gossom further stated her thoughts that following the process through would give Mr. Beedie the opportunity to hold his own against the other applicants. Mr. Rigdon moved to appoint Michael Beedie as City Manager. Mr. Rynearson seconded motion and it failed by a vote of 3 to 4. RESULT: DEFEATED [3 TO 41 MOVER: Bull Rigdon, Council Seat 6 SECONDER: Dick Rynearson, Council Seat 7 AYES: Dennis Reeves, Bull Rigdon, Dick Rynearson NAYS: Bobby Griggs, joyce gossom, Trey Goodwin, Bobby Nabors Ms. Hanks continued discussion and advised the target dates for interviewing applicants is between September 1 and 10, and she will define those dates and inform Council. Further discussion included the cost of background checks and what the checks entail; possibly setting a cap for reimbursements for interviews; and exploring the possibility of local businesses partnering and providing a portion of their services or adjusting fees for applicants so that the City can save costs. Ms. Hanks stated that although background checks for employees are done in -house at cheaper costs, social media and reference checks are more involved and are often contracted out to remain objective. Ms. Hanks explained social media backgrounds often provide information regarding ethics violations, arrest records, and so forth. Mr. Goodwin moved to set a cap in the amount of $200. 00 per applicant for background checks. Mr. Nabors seconded motion and it failed 3 to 4. RESULT: DEFEATED [ 3 TO 41 MOVER: Trey Goodwin, Council Seat 4 SECONDER: Bobby Nabors, Council Seat 5 AYES: Bobby Griggs, Trey Goodwin, Bobby Nabors NAYS: joyce gossom, Dennis Reeves, Bull Rigdon, Dick Rynearson Council discussion included the importance of background checks in providing necessary information on applicants, and that previous discussion included the fact the hiring process needs to be followed, and background checks and related costs are part of the process. Mr. Goodwin also discussed reimbursements and that 500. 00 would be a maximum, stating if someone wants the job they should be willing to invest some money as well. Ca, Cound! ofFon W, 11on Beach Page 7 Printed 8202012  Minutes 2012 Discussion followed regarding allowing Ms. Hanks to follow her discretion regarding reimbursements, in that the City may need to invest more in candidates that may travel longer distances; and that the City's travel policy in regards to reimbursement of mileage, meals, and lodging should be followed. Mr. Goodwin moved to cap the reimbursement for applicants to $ 500.00. Motion failed for lack of a second. Dr. gossom stated that for a professional position of the level of the City Manager, incurring costs by the entity seeking the services is not unusual. There was no further discussion on this issue. CITY MANAGER REPORTS The Acting City Manager requested a workshop be scheduled to discuss the Landmark Center project. Consensus of Council was to hold a public workshop on Tuesday, August 28 at 5 pm before the regularly scheduled meeting. The Acting City Manager announced the budget hearings on Wednesday,