Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 04-11-06 regular minutes — reading text

Authorize the Mayor to Execute a Grant Agreement between the Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners and the City of Fort Walton Beach for preparation of the Interlocal Agreement for Public School Facility Planning. Len Mitchell, Long- Range Planning Manager, explained the requirement that local governments and school boards update existing Interlocal agreements. He said the State has offered a small grant to each Council willing to complete the update to the Interlocal Agreement by September 1, 2006. He reported that the Okaloosa County Comprehensive Plan Committee recommended that the County and all municipalities prepare and execute an Interlocal Agreement and submit it by September 1, 2006; that Okaloosa County be designated the Lead Agency in the task; that the grant distribution formula will give the County 25%, the School Board 25% and the municipalities will share the remaining 50%. He stated the City does not have to participate, but if the City chooses not to participate, it will have to develop its own public schools facility planning Interlocal Agreement with the School Board and will not receive a share of the grant funds available. He said if Council agrees to participate in the initiative to update the Interlocal Agreement by September 1, 2006 and to accept the proportional share of the grant distribution, the Interlocal Agreement will be brought back to City Council. He pointed out ultimately the City will be required to develop a School Concurrency Element for the City' s Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Campbell moved to participate in the initiative to complete the Public Schools Facility Planning Interlocal Agreement by September 1, 2006, and to authorize the Mayor to execute a Grant Agreement between the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners and the City of Fort Walton Beach for preparation of the Interlocal Agreement for Public School Facility Planning. Mr. Tucker seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. RES. 06- 6: OPPOSING GOVERNMENT MANDATED INTERNET FILTERING The Mayor read the resolution by title. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA OPPOSING THE GOVERNMENT MANDATED INTERNET FILTERING; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Patricia Gould, Library Director, the resolution is a repeat of last years resolution opposing the government mandated internet filtering because the proposed law is an unfriendly mandate. She described the measures taken to protect children from inadvertently viewing inappropriate material on the internet. Mr. Hartwell expressed concern with wording on line 16 that the City wants to allow free and open access to information that people of all ages need and want regardless of the format of that information, and wording on line 38 that there is no proven technology that can successfully block out all illegal content. The City Manager noted the language was developed by the Library Co- Op. Dr. Pullen confirmed that the same language is used by Library Co- Ops throughout the State. Dr. Pullen moved to approve Res. 06- 6. Mr. Holmes seconded motion and it carried by a vote of 6 to 1 with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, and Minich in favor and Hartwell opposed.  Regular Council 4- 11- 06 170 RES. 06- 7: AMENDING MUSEUM FEE SCHEDULE The Mayor read the resolution by title. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE PARKS AND RECREATION MUSEUM SECTION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE FEE SCHEDULE FOR THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Jeff Peters, Parks & Recreation Director, explained the request for a change in the fee schedule ~, now that there are three separate facilities open for the public to visit, and the request to honor the school group reservations that have already been made and paid in advance. He noted the days and hours of operation for the museums will remain unchanged. Mr. Holmes moved to approve Res. 06- 7 and to honor the agreement with the school groups with existing reservations at the $ 1. 00 rate to the end of the school year. Mr. Campbell seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. RES. 06- 8: AMENDING GOLF CLUB FEES The Mayor read the resolution by title. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE GOLF CLUB SECTION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE FEE SCHEDULE FOR THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. The City Manager pointed out in the proposed rate schedule there will be one membership rate for City and County residents with the fees to increase over a five year period. The Mayor opened the floor to the public Andy Haluska, 609 Manner Court, objected to the City resident paying the same fee as a County resident. Chuck Wheelehan, 613 Powell Drive, commented the entire burden is being put on the golfers. Nunzio Cappadona, 675 Merioneth Drive, suggested County resident fees be lowered a little less and City resident fees be raised a little less. Lee McDonald, 10 Rue De La Roi, stated he agreed there is a need for an increase in fees; however, he can play golf cheaper at other places than what he will pay at the Fort Walton Beach golf course. Phil Anchor, Shalimar resident, questioned how an increase in fees will address the problems of reduced play and competition from area courses. He commented it is a City course which should provide an area for players to get exercise and not be forced to ride a cart. There was no one further from the public who wished to speak. Mr. Minich moved to approve Res. 06- 8. Mr. Tucker seconded motion. During a brief discussion, there were differing views expressed on the proposed rates for city residents being the same as county residents. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried by a vote of 5 to 2 with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, and Minich in favor and Pullen and Hartwell opposed.  Regular Council 4- 11- 06 171 GOLF COURSE CART RENTAL. PLAY CARD, TEE TIME, TOURNAMENT FEES Consideration of a request to direct the City Manager to develop administrative policies for cart rental, play card, online tee time reservations and tournament fees and others as needed. The City Manager reviewed Administrative Policy issues needed for required cart rental, development of a play card available to non- members and the occasional golfer, an online tee time reservation, and for tournament fees. She requested Council direct her to development the Administrative Policies. Joe Sasso, 18 Oakdale Road, expressed concern about a mandatory cart rental from 6: 00 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays, and suggested the time begin at 9: 00 a. m. He objected to a play card for non- members. He also suggested a 10 play card for $ 100. 00. Mr. Tucker moved to direct the City Manager to develop Administrative Policies for the required cart rental, play card, online tee time reservation, and tournament fees. Mr. Holmes seconded motion. Mr. Minich stated for the record if he had known Council would not have input on the Administrative Policies, he would not have voted in favor of the resolution. The City Attorney confirmed if a member of Council is concerned about their vote on an issue, they can ask for reconsideration of that item. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. GOLF COURSE - FORGIVE ADVANCES FROM GENERAL FUND Consideration of a request to forgive advances from the General Fund in the amount of $ 100, 000 and from the Sanitation Fund in the amount of $ 172, 810. The City Manager explained the loan has been carried on the books and recommended the Council forgive the loans which would then release the liability on the balance sheet and increase the assets. Lee McDonald, 10 Rue De La Roi, commented on the Administrative Policies to be developed without Council input. Mr. Minich moved to forgive advances from the General Fund of $1 00, 000. 00 and Sanitation Fund of $172, 810. 00. Mr. Tucker seconded motion. Mr. Hartwell commented the debt still exists. The City Manager explained the purpose is to provide aCity contribution by releasing the obligation of the golf course and writing off the debt. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried by a vote of 6 to 1 with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, and Minich in favor and Hartwell opposed. GOLF COURSE - GENERAL FUND COST ALLOCATION PLAN Consideration of a request that the General Fund continue to absorb expenses incurred by the Golf Fund as outlined in the City' s Cost Allocation Plan for the next three years, at which time it will be reevaluated. Mr. Tucker moved that the General Fund continue in the short term to absorb expenses incurred by the Golf Fund for the next three years, at which time it will be reevaluated. Mr. Campbell seconded motion.  Regular Council 4- 11- 06 172 GOLF COURSE cont. Chris Gibson, 249 Brooks Street, suggested the City obtain leases that will help pay the debt service. Mr. Hartwell questioned why there are no provisions for the golf course to pay back the debt once it becomes solvent. The City Manager explained that the first rate schedule did not produce a surplus until the end of a five year period and the audit pointed out the golf course is running out of net ..-. assets in the fund. She noted if Council adopted the new rate schedule, there will be a surplus in the golf club, and they could charge the Administrative cost. Dr. Pullen commented if the golf course gets to the point of making money, then Council can put it back. The City Manager noted Council has the authority to move that money back into the General Fund. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried by a vote of 6 to 1 with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, and Minich in favor and Hartwell opposed. GOLF COURSE - MILITARY DISCOUNT Consideration of a request to approve a 20% discount on non- member green fee rates for Active Duty Military personnel stationed at Hurlburt Field from April 1 - October 31, 2006 while the Hurlburt Course is closed for renovations. The City Manager explained she received a request f rom Hurlburt to allow their active duty personnel to play on the City' s course while their course is being renovated. Dr. Pullen wished to know if the fees would be comparable. Jim Frazier, Golf Course Manager, responded that they pay $ 19. 00. Mr. Minich commented the City resident's are not getting a discount. The City Manager noted it is an extra- ordinary situation where their course is being renovated. Mr. Minich moved to approve a 20% discount on non- member green fee rates for active duty military personnel stationed at Hurlburt Field from April 1 - October 31, 2006 while the Hurlburt Course is closed for renovations. Mr. Campbell seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen,