Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 08-11-09 regular — reading text

not representing the posting of cash receipts have been made to the membership database and written support for these adjustments is not maintained. It is recommended manual adjustments to extend membership privileges as provided in Resolution 97 -30, be initiated at the Golf Club with proper documentation and approval and forward to the Finance Division for processing. 6) Support for voided transactions is not consistently maintained as required by Golf Club policies. It is recommended all voided transaction support should be provided and approved to comply with City policy. 7) Cashiers at the Golf Club can currently record member play in the point of sale system using a last name rather than a number, not allowing the point of sale system to adequately track rounds by membership category. It is recommended management monitor weekly point of sale reports that identify codes used and ensure temporary member numbers established are for valid membership applications in process. 8) Of the 90 voluntary marshals established in the point of sale system, 17 do not have approved marshal agreements on file. It is recommended all marshals have an approved agreement prior to service and prior to establishment in the point of sale system. 9) Based on observation of auditing staff at the Golf Club, the starter was receiving receipts for play at the cashier counter and not at the first hole. The purpose of the starter is to monitor play on the course to ensure all players have a receipt, and being located in the cashier building does not prohibit someone from walking onto the course and playing without payment. It is recommended the starter accept receipts only at the first green. At the conclusion of Ms. Balent's presentation, the Mayor opened the public hearing. Jim Frazier, 207 McArthur Avenue NE, Fort Walton Beach and former Golf Club Administrator, explained that the marketing and promotional rounds included school system programs and free coupon booklets that contained coupons for the golf course; that documentation was kept and available in the administration office areas of the Golf Club; that school team play was documented in the point of sale system by school and number played and is also available; explained that employees leave and are often hired back under a different employee number but it is the same employee. 2- Special Council meeting 6 -23 -09 ?: REVIEW OF GOLF COURSE AUDIT ( CONT) Mr. Frazier said that voided transactions were always sent to the City's Finance Department with documentation and signed by the customer; that there are 28 marshals and 26 substitute marshals to man the course and they do not play until they have completed their work; and explained the purpose of the starter is to get people onto the course and it is the job of the marshal to check receipts on a periodic basis. In conclusion, Mr. Frazier invited the City Manager and each member of Council to take a tour of the golf course to see how the condition has changed in 30 days. Jim Hendricks, 846 Tropic Avenue, is the Marshal Coordinator for the past three years and clarified that there are 28 regular and 26 substitute marshals and he has all of their applications and the Marshal program is under control, and he discussed the importance of the Marshal program. As there was no one else who wished to speak, the public hearing was closed. Due to the time constraint, the Finance Director advised her responses to the recommendations are in the Staff Report and she would answer any questions that Council may have. The City Manager advised that operational policies for the golf course are being developed between Ms. Wunker, Mr. Peters and Mr. Trimm and should be in effect by August. The City Manager further advised that during the budget workshops in: August the fee schedule and adjustment to the golf 1. course fees will be discussed, and Resolution, 97- 30 1 will be revisited. The Finance Director advised that signs are posted that the non -dated " free play cards" will continued to be honored until July 31, 2009. ADJOURNMENT As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5: 57 pm. APPROVED: MAYOR: ATTEST: CITY CLERK Ive 3-  225 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 23, 2009 INTRODUCTION A regular meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was held on Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at 6: 00 p. m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, with the following members present: Mayor Mike Anderson Councilmen: Mike Holmes, Virgil Miller-, Bill Garvie, Bobby Nabors, Bill Patterson, and Dick Rynearson. Absent: Dennis Reeves Also Present: Robert Mearns, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Toni Craig, City Attorney; Department Directors and Media. CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. He requested anyone who wished to address Council to approach the podium after being recognized, then state his or her name and address for the record. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE Pastor Charles Sansom, Sr., Family of Faith, gave the Invocation and led in the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Mayor advised Agenda Item 5. 3 was withdrawn at the request of the applicant, Items 5.4 and 7. 1 dealing with the Wastewater Treatment Plant has been continued to the special meeting of June 30, 2009, and Item 9. 2. 1 has been added. Mr. Garvie moved to approve the Agenda as revised with Item 5.3 pulled and Items 5.4 and 7. 1 continued to the Special Council Meeting of June 30, 2009, and the addition of Item 9. 2. 1. Mr. Patterson seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor (Reeves absent). SPECIAL PRESENTATION —CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Chamber representatives explained some of the projects the Chamber of Commerce is involved in that benefit the citizens. Alan Gieseman, 2009 Chairman of the Board, gave an overview of the Chamber. Representatives included Chad Hamilton who discussed local issues; Tammy McDaniel who discussed greening initiatives; Lisa Jo Spencer who discussed the homeless issue; Maggie Halsey who discussed downtown initiatives; and Kathy Houchins who discussed festivals and the military. SPECIAL PRESENTATION— DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION Representatives from the Downtown Merchants Association addressed the homeless issue and aggressive panhandling. Piper Gaffrey, owner of Fountain Square, relayed several instances where homeless individuals were on her property and would not leave when asked and that they bother and frighten her customers and are detrimental to her business. Ms. Gaffrey also relayed an instance where a homeless person accosted her 18 -year daughter as she entered the Publix supermarket. M 226 Regular Council Meeting 6/ 23/ 09 MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION ( CONT) Mr. Nabors, member of the Downtown Merchant's Association, discussed the seriousness of the situation for the merchants and questioned what can be done to enforce the City's current ordinances on the issue. The City Attorney advised that State Statutes regarding the 500 foot distance and loitering around schools have been found unconstitutional and are therefore difficult to enforce. She also. advised another provision of State Statutes requires officials of schools to initiate the call regarding questionable individuals located on school property, and commented the law regarding panhandling and homeless is constantly changing, and the City's ordinance is one that is as enforceable as it can get. Taxi Tom, representing the homeless population, apologized to Ms. Gaffrey for her unpleasant experiences, and explained that street people are often misunderstood and that he does not ask for money, but he admitted that there are some homeless individuals he does not associate with. Valerie Wenzel, representing the downtown tenants, discussed her personal experiences with the vagrants downtown and that it will take some creativity and commitment to figure out ways to put a stop to the issue. Mr. Nabors questioned if there was a way to define punishment with the ordinance on the books Ted Litschauer, Police Chief, advised that law enforcement cannot define punishment, that is the purview of the court. He also advised that many that are arrested by the police may not actually see court, and of those that do very few are convicted because they are not tried. Mr. Nabors questioned if contacting the State Attorney's office would be beneficial. Chief Litschauer went on record as stating it is unlawful for him to give legal advice; however, he would not discourage someone from contacting the State Attorney's office but they would address cases already cited and would not address anything yet to happen. Chief Litschauer commented that law enforcement cannot cure social ills and understands the frustrations, but according to State Statutes, standing on a street corner is not considered loitering and laws can only be enacted to actions of individuals, and not to individuals themselves. Mr. Nabors stated the discussion has been informative and he hopes it gave the merchants some direction to take regarding aggressive panhandling, and he is not sure there is a solution but perhaps contacting the State Attorney's office and ask what it would take for them to take violators of the ordinances more seriously might help. The City Attorney gave a quick opinion that the State Attorney's office has territorial discretion, and that they will listen but that is as far as they will go on the matter. The City Manager commented this is a global issue and a difficult one to find an answer for. The Mayor encouraged citizens to call police as soon as incidents occur so they can respond to them and that police presence can make a difference. Piper Gaffrie stated she was disappointed at what she learned this evening but understands the dilemma and hopes that increased enforcement will help. She advised she would contact the State Attorney's office. 5-  227 Regular Council Meeting 6/ 23/ 09 CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Holmes moved to approve the following Consent Agenda items. Mr. Patterson seconded motion and it carried