Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 08-22-2006 ‎(regular)‎ — reading text

Florida, was held on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 at 5: 30 p. m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, with the following present: Mayor Mike Anderson Councilmen: Mike Holmes, Bob Campbell, Jim Tucker, Dr. Wayne Pullen, Jim Hartwell, and Mike Minich Absent: Bill Patterson Also Present: Joyce Shanahan, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Finance Director ( position vacant); Toni Craig, City Attorney; and Department Directors CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting to order. PLEDGE The Mayor led in the Pledge of Allegiance. TENTATIVE AD VALOREM MILLAGE RATE Consideration of setting the tentative ad valorem millage rate for FY 2006-07. The City Manager noted once the tentative millage rate is set Council can go below the rate at any time but cannot go above it without the additional expense of formal notification to each city taxpayer. She stated staff proposes the tentative millage rate be set at 4. 97. She mentioned that the County set their proposed millage rate at 3. 95 mills. Mr. Tucker moved to set the FY 2006-07 tentative millage rate for ad Valorem taxes at 4. 97 mills. Mr. Campbell seconded motion. The City Manager noted that tonight Council is setting the tentative millage rate and there will be two other opportunities to set the actual millage rate. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor (Patterson absent). Mr. Holmes moved to confirm the dates and times of the public hearings for the budget as follows: Special Council meetings on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 at 5: 30 p. m. and Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 5: 30 p. m. Mr. Minich seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor (Patterson absent). RES. 06- 21: SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM The Mayor read the resolution by title. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH SUPPORTING THE CONTINUATION OF THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER (SRO) PROGRAM ESTABLISHED AT THE FORT WALTON BEACH AND CHOCTAWHA TCHEE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS; AND URGING THE OKALOOSA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD AND SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT TO CONTINUE ITS COOPERATION AND JOINT FUNDING ARRANGEMENT FOR CONTINUATION OF THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. C-- \ 266 Special Council 8- 1- 06 RES. 06- 21 cont. Mr. Holmes moved to approve Res. 06- 21. Mr. Tucker seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor ( Patterson absent). FAIRGROUNDS _ Mr. Tucker mentioned a telephone call from Bull Rigdon and stated he asked Mr. Rigdon to come before Council to talk about the fairgrounds scheduled events. Mr. Tucker relayed that Mr. Rigdon, Jr. will ask Council to give an extension to the 180 days to perhaps March 2007, which is how long they have contracted for events. He stated he is prepared to sell a certain amount of the property to the fairgrounds. He said he would like the fairgrounds to stay but not at the taxpayers expense, and for about $ 1. 3 million the fairgrounds cay buy six acres. The Mayor commented that Council may have the cart before the horse since it is not known what the consultant will suggest on the use of the fairgrounds property. Dr. Pullen agreed the citizens should not have to support the Fair Association, and suggested Council explore all avenues and to move cautiously. He stated it was his impression that when the City purchased the property it was not to re- sell but to use it for the benefit of the citizens. Further discussion included the abandonment plan that is yet to be received from the Fairgrounds, whether the Fair Association can own property, and the number of emails received on the issue of the fairgrounds lease. STORMWATER AND POLLUTION IN THE SOUND AND BAY WATERS Mr. Tucker brought up the issue of storm water and pollution in the sound and bay waters. He discussed the problem with pollution in the waters that need to be addressed and hoped the citizens would be encouraged to vote in favor of the one cent sales tax. Dr. Pullen mentioned the EDC meeting where he made the comment that if the one cent sales tax did not pass, the City may consider a storm water utility. Millie Thrush, 316 Sudduth Circle, expressed concern on the amount of lawn debris that is blown into the stormwater and the number of people who drain their pools into the street where the water collects and draws mosquitoes. WORKSHOP The City Manager noted even though there are no topics for the agenda, Council will have a workshop meeting on Tuesday, August 8th at 5: 30 p. m. BUDGET MEETINGS The City Manager received Council's preference that the EDC and Chamber of Commerce be asked to give their budget presentation at the meeting on Tuesday, August 15th. USED POLICE CARS The City Manager mentioned an opportunity to bid on used police cars from Panama City and stated because it would be next years funds, she would need Council permission to make a bid. Mr. Minich moved to grant permission to the City Manager to bid on the used police cars from Panama City. Mr. Campbell seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor (Patterson absent).  267 8- 1- 06 Special Council ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6: 25 p. m. APPROVED: MAYOR: ATTEST CITY CLERK ddm  269 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF THE CITY OF FORTWAL TON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 8, 2006 INTRODUCTION A Council Workshop Meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was held on Tuesday, August 8, 2006, at 5: 30 p. m. with the following members present: Mayor Mike AndeFSOl1 Mlke Holmes, Bill Patterson, Bob Campbell, (Mayor Pro Tem), Jim Tucker, Dr. Wayne Councitme"!: Pullen, Jim Hartwell, and Mike Minich Also Present: Joyce Shanahan, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Finance Director Position vacant); Toni Craig, City Attorney; and Department Directors CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting to order. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Mayor led in the Pledge of Allegiance. ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ISSUES Discussion regarding illegal immigration issues. The Mayor explained that based upon recent inquiries received from citizens, he wanted to address the issue of illegal immigration with Council, Staff, the City Attorney, and anyone who was present this evening. Jim Murtha, 21 Bay Drive NE, discussed his concern regarding illegal immigrants, and cited increased crime, accidents, housing, workmen' s compensation claims, and lack of formal education among the individuals who are working here illegally. Mr. Murtha stressed the need to get control of the situation, as present and future taxpayers will be paying for the iIIegals for years to come. Council asked Mr. Murtha what he wanted them to do. Mr. Murtha suggested a citizen' s committee consisting of Council members, law enforcement, and religious leaders be formed to develop ways to curb the growing problem. The City Manager provided ordinances to Council from a city in Pennsylvania prohibiting the hiring of illegal immigrants, citing fines and loss of business licenses to employers, and prohibiting the rental of homes/ properties to iIIegals. She also advised cities in Florida are adopting ordinances implementing regulations similar to those of the ordinance adopted in Pennsylvania. Council questioned what recommendations or guidance it can give to Staff for the City to implement. The City Manager explained that there is not enough Staff to investigate issues regarding the hiring of iIIegals, but laws can be addressed through adoption of an ordinance, but she would need direction from Council if that is their desire. She further advised the League of Cities has suggested a resolution be done by communities to recommend to the federal government that these regulations be enforced, but she noted a resolution to state legislatures could be more effective. Discussion ensued regarding encouraging employers, particularly those who hire temporary labor, to check for social security cards and driver's licenses of potential employees. Council also suggested sending out notices in City publications that the City will take a proactive stance if it is discovered illegals are being hired. 270 Council Workshop 06 8- 8- I I ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION Discussion also included that the work ethic among many young Americans is gone and it is often a non- American who is willing to work, and just because a business owner hires a non-American who could be an illegal does not make the business owner a criminal. The City Manager advised that letters would be sent to those who have occupational licenses within the City. as well as to realtors, advising them not to hire or rent to known iIIegals. PAWS REQUEST FOR NEW FACILITY Discussion regarding request from Panhandle Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). Inc. to amend their lease and erect a start- of-the- art facility. The City Manager advised representatives from PAWS would like to discuss the possibility of extending the term of their lease to make improvements to their facility. She advised that if Council gives consensus on this item, it will be brought forward at a subsequent Council meeting. Mike Coupe, President of PAWS, summarized due to growth in the county PAWS would like to expand their facility to build a new sheltering facility. including an education center and conference and sheltering and housing and a medical facility for animals in their care. In order to do facility, this, PAWS would like to have a long- term lease (greater than a year) or ownership of this property, and removal of the current 180- day termination clause. Mr. Coupe also noted the provision of the lease that plans over $7,500 be submitted to Council for their approval, and that PAWS would have no problem in doing that. Also mentioned was the future possibility for a dog park to enable owners to take their dogs to exercise and give the community a defined area for dogs to be exercised, but there are no plans for this at the present time. The City Manager advised she brought the issue forward in a workshop to receive direction from Council whether they are interested in extending the lease, or in selling or deeding the property to PAWS. She also informed the current lease with PAWS is indefinite, except for the 180- day termination clause, at a cost of $ 1. 00 per year, and if it is their desire for her to negotiate for a longer