Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 05-13-08 workshop minutes — reading text

129 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 13, 2008 INTRODUCTION A Council Workshop Meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was held on Tuesday, May 13, 2008, at 5: 30 p. m. with the following members present: Councilmen: Mike Holmes, Dennis Reeves, Bill Garvie, Mayor Pro Tem; Dr. Wayne Pullen, Jim Hartwell, and Mike Minich Absent: Mayor Mike Anderson, Virgil Miller Also Present: Joyce Shanahan, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Brandy Wunker, Interim Finance Director; Toni Craig, City Attorney; and Department Directors CALL TO ORDER The Mayor Pro Tem called the meeting to order. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Mayor Pro Tem led in the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mr. Minich moved to approve the agenda as the business of the day. Mr. Hartwell seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor (Miller absent). WORKSHOP AGENDA Discussion regarding Annexation. The City Manager informed this item of discussion recounts past feedback from Okaloosa Island in regards to annexing into the City and some discussion about the annexing of unincorporated areas into the City, but does not include discussion on the economy of scale by consolidating into a larger group. Missy McKim, CDS Director, began by stating that Florida Chapter 171 outlines the procedures for annexation, and noted the process is very detailed and complicated and needs to be considered as part of Council' s strategy for any future annexation. Ms. McKim advised that the City has a policy to encourage voluntary annexation, particularly the single lots in Kenwood, and that most of those lots have been annexed, mainly because the homeowners have a need for City water and sewer services. The City incurs the cost to process and advertise for these voluntary annexations. Ms. McKim informed that the City pursued the possibility of annexing Okaloosa Island in the late 90' s and again in 2004, and a survey was sent to property owners on Okaloosa Island. The result of the survey was that the residents of the Island were not interested in annexing into the City, and nothing has been pursued since then regarding annexation. Ms. McKim commented there are ways for the City to be more favorable for annexation by other communities, including lowering taxes and providing services/ amenities that are not offered in neighboring cities or towns. Ms. McKim also reported there is a process of interlocal service agreements with Mary Esther and Cinco Bayou that could be looked into. Ms. McKim stated that if Council is interested in annexation she would encourage them to develop a strategy, or to direct Staff to come up with the details of a strategy to move forward if it is something they want to pursue. 130 Council Workshop 05/ 13/ 08 ANNEXATION ( CONT) The City Manager relayed that back in the 1970' s, the City approached Mary Esther about annexing into the City, and that City residents voted for annexation but Mary Esther residents voted against it. She informed that State Statute gives incorporated areas the right to vote on annexation whether the City approves it or not. The City Manager advised that interlocal agreements for services are items to consider when looking at consolidating service deliveries. She noted that the City provides water Department offers police service for both jurisdictions, and Ocean City/Wright is and sewer services to Cinco Bayou at 250/0 plus cost; in addition the City provides Cinco Bayou billing for sanitation services and Cinco Bayou pays the City $ 1, 000 for that administrative service. The County does permitting for building permits for Mary Esther and Cinco Bayou and the Sheriff' charged s with a., i.~ II fire service for Cinco Bayou. City Manager stated from what was discussed at the Strategic Planning Session on The in a Saturday, she understands it is Council' s initiative to look more toward annexation cooperative manner with these localities by bidding on the service deliveries they are currently receiving. Discussion ensued regarding bidding on the services and whether that would be a first step toward annexation. The City Manager felt that because of the small size of Cinco Bayou, that the City could absorb police services to them into the City' s manning level without increasing service delivery to City residents, and the City should try to bid on that to see if we can gain that service, as well as sanitation service. The City Manager stated she would like to talk with the County about consolidating permitting for the south county area and helping out with the permitting for Mary Esther and Cinco Bayou, and to look at cooperative partnerships with local governments about providing services. The City Manager commented there is a certain pride in being known as Mary Esther, or Cinco can show Bayou, or Fort Walton Beach, and that identity is difficult to overcome unless you services will be enhanced by working together as a unit. She stated there is more than one way to address the issue, perhaps through a regional type government consisting of Fort Walton Esther, and Cinco and the easiest way is through discussion of service Beach, Mary Bayou, deliveries and economies of scale. Council questioned whether the City has ever undertaken a mailing of Cinco Bayou residents to see where they stand on the issue of annexation. The City Manager replied no, but that it can be done if it is Council' s desire. Dean Covey, 270 Brooks Street SE, noted there is a % mill difference in Cinco Bayou and that mill be closer to the millage rate of the City. The City Manager advised this information may will be address in the upcoming report by the Budget/Grants Manager. ti'-,: 1. . Charlotte Dunworth, Budget/Grants Manager, discussed the assessed value millage ad valorem revenue for FY 07/ 08 for Fort Walton Beach, and how the millage rate would adding be affected by in the assessed value of the areas of Cinco Bayou, Mary Esther, Okaloosa Island, and J. I Ocean City/Wright. Ms. Dunworth noted in all scenarios the City would benefit, but the goal is to create an enticement for other areas to annex into the City. Ms. Dunworth also discussed millage rates as of 2006 for the various locations, the annual cost of services by location, and services for tax dollars.  131 Council Workshop 05/ 13/ 08 ANNEXATION ( CONT) Further discussion included the Advanced Life Support services. Fire Chief Mike Dutton advised the City bills for traffic accidents and hazardous materials, but not for EMS because a certificate of need belongs to Okaloosa County and cannot be billed for. The City Manager advised that after the budget process is completed, Staff will develop a comprehensive review on annexation for Council' s review in the September or October time frame, and at that time receive guidance from Council on how they would like to proceed. The Mayor Pro Tem stated his thought that if amounts of different fees were substantial for non- residents, it would be worthwhile to be in the City and not have to pay a higher fee. The City Manager noted Staff is exploring increasing the differential between resident and non- resident fees, but noted there is not a way to charge non- residents to use a park. The City Manager concluded by stating there is a new area of government being entered into and she believes there will be more regional efforts and approaches to problem solving and service delivery. ADJOURNMENT As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6: 00 p. m. APPROVED:~~ MAYOR: ATTESTIiJn U. ~. CITY CLERK L Ive