Okaloosa County BOCC — August 16, 2016 — July 19, 2016 regular meeting — reading text

Autrey was asked to come forward and address this issue . (Mr . Autrey had placed an update on the agenda regarding the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge lease and is listed as Item #3 under department business . ) Mr . Autrey stated a lease for approximately 3 . 6 acres on Okaloosa Island adjacent to Veterans Park was granted to the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge on December 5 , 2012 . A provision of that lease requires the construction project to be completed and operational within a two-year period from the execution date of the lease. On February 18 , 2014 , a request from the Refuge was received to extend the timeline by an additional 12 months and that request was granted . This action would require completion of the project by December 5 , 2015 . Mr . Autrey reported that to date no construction has been performed on the parcel nor has a development order been approved . Mr . Stewart reiterated the construction schedule was part of the initial lease and required the actual completion of all construction by December 4 , 2015 . He said the particular request before the Board at this time is to allow another four months for preparation of a development plan . Mr . Stewart pointed out there are two leases with the Refuge . One is for the old Island Fire Station for $1 . 00 per year and the second is for this parcel , also with a $1 . 00 per year lease fee . Mrs . Ketchel made motion , seconded by Mr . Harris , for this parcel to be returned to the county . Mr . Stewart stated a written notice can be sent to the lessee terminating the lease , effective in 90 days . Discussion ensued . Mr . Goodwin urged proceeding with caution regarding a default notification . He questioned whether or not the property on Okaloosa Island is July 19 , 2016 -11- Minute Book 75 , Page 45 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners suitable for a wildlife refuge because it is a barrier island and could be inaccessible during a hurricane . Mr . Goodwin recommended giving the Refuge 30 days to agree to a mutual termination of the lease . When Mr . Goodwin asked Mrs . Ketchel if she will accept that as a friendly amendment , she replied her motion stands . Mr . Harris confirmed his second . Mr . Boyles asked if the termination could be changed to 30 days , to which Mr . Stewart answered the lease provisions are 90 days for termination notice . Mr . Boyles suggested a 90-day notice of termination absent a mutual termination within 30 days . Mrs . Ketchel stated she will accept this suggestion as a friendly amendment . Mr . Harris confirmed his second for the amended motion . Upon inquiry by Mr . Boyles , Mr . Autrey stated the county never received a formal plan or submittal . Mr . Hof st ad said there may be county holdings south of the Egin Reservation which could accommodate the Refuge ' s mission , advising a recommendation could be made at a future date . 5 yeas . TOURIST DEVELOPMENT FY 2016-17 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING REQUEST FOR INLET MANAGEMENT Mr . Jim Trifilio , Coastal Management Coordinator , stated this is a request for financial assistance from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for the design and permitting of a sand trap for the East Pass Federal Navigation channel . He explained that the purpose of the sand trap is to provide additional area within the channel for sand deposition with out significantly decreasing the depth of the channel . Mr. Trif ilio said the Federal Government should maintain the Pass but money for dredging/maintenance does not come here . He expressed concern about waiting for the Federal Government by stating the Pass could close up while waiting . Mr . Trif ilio said the alternative is for the county to fund the maintenance . He said this proposed use of a sand trap could stretch dredging the East pass from every three or four years to eight or ten , saving millions of dollars . Mr . Trif ilio estimated the cost of the design and permitting work at $500 , 000 . He said funding assistance from the State will require a 50/50 match with the local sponsor . Therefore , the county share of the design/permitting phase would be approximately $250 , 000 . The application deadline is August 1 and applications will be ranked by Inlet Management . Mr . Trifilio said " we are asking to be ranked ." After ranking by Inlet Management the State Legislature will make appropriations . July 19 , 2016 -12- Minute Book 75 , Page 46 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners He emphasized the permits must be pulled by the Corps of Engineers . Mr . Matt Trammel , consultant with Taylor Engineering , stated Mr . Trifilio covered the subject very well and he is available for questions . Mr . Harris recalled the trying times in 2010 when he served as Chairman , referring to the Inlet Management Plan and the BP oil spill . He said that he had a conversation with David Sherry last night and he wants to hear both sides of this issue . Upon inquiry by Mr . Harris , Mr . Trifilio stated the deadline for submission of the application is August 1 and it does not require the Chairman ' s signature . A resolution of support for the project will be brought back in September . Mr . Harris also asked when this item is returned to the Board , can this proposal be changed and Mr . Trifilio answered that it could be changed . Mr . Harris asked for clarification on the Inlet Management Plan and the contention the sand moves from the east to the west . He also wanted more information on the sand trap , its effect on the East Pass , and beach erosion . Mr . Trammel stated a dozen studies and reports have been done on East Pass and many are conflicting with their assessments . He advised there are variables , such as when the sand tracing studies were performed. With regard to sand quality , sand from the traps can only be deposited on adjoining eroded beaches . He emphasized this is based on science . Mr . Harris continued to ask a series of questions , saying the questions were provided to him by Mr . Sherry . These questions included the armoring of Norriego Point , estimate of costs for the entire program , and the legality of sand traps . Mr . Stewart stated the only commitment is to submit an application for potential funding for design and permitting . He said the Board ' s decision will not bind it on spending money . When asked about sand tracers , Mr . Trammel stated they are only good for a six-month snapshot of time . He questioned the validity of making future management decisions on one short period of time . Upon inquiry by Mrs . Ketchel , Mr . Trammel stated he learned about the grant approximately one month ago . Mrs . Ketchel made July 19 , 2016 -13- Minute Book 75 , Page 47 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners motion , seconded by Mr . Goodwin , to return this i tern to the Tourist Development Council (TDC) for review . Mrs. Ketchel noted this is her district and she has many concerns . She felt this situation could have been avoided if staff had come to speak with her about it . Mrs . Ketchel stated her motion includes provision for this item to go before the TDC before coming back to the Board of County Commissioners . Mr . Goodwin confirmed his second . Mr . Boyles posed questions on the flow of water and temporary interruption of flow theory being consistent with movement of sand from east to west . He said he is trying to grasp how it will materially affect a beach/condo seven miles away . Mr . Boyles stated he believes our technical experts are competent . He said the Board made a decision to allow buildings on waterfront properties and we have to live with the result of those houses being too close to the water . Mr . Boyles advised that he will oppose the motion and he does not care what the TDC says about the flow of sand , adding that he does not believe any of us (commissioners) have expertise on this matter . Mr . Goodwin asked for an explanation how the sand in the sand trap would be a source for high quality sand . Mr . Trifilio replied the grains of sand will be worked over because of the flushing action in the trap . Upon further inquiries by Mr . Goodwin , Mr . Trifilio responded the sand from the sand trap would be preferable and the beaches on Okaloosa Island have been classified as critically eroded in the ten years he has been with the county . Mr . Trammel said he would call the sand in the trap high quality . He again cautioned the use of sand tracers , saying they represent a snapshot of time . Mrs . Ketchel amended her motion , saying she desires to table this i tern and to set a workshop on it . Mr . Trif ilio reiterated the deadline to submit this application is August 1 . Mr . Harris stated in the past , the sand tracer studies were rejected because of their shelf life and he is opposed to using them . Mr. Boyles commented that you can explain this to him but you cannot make him understand it . He questioned the value of a workshop . Mr . Boyles said it is his understanding the i tern before them is a request to seek partnership with the state for funding a design process . He recommended a measured approach and said the Board does have the ability to change directions . July 19 , 2016 -14- Minute Book 75 , Page 48 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr . Windes stated he is not a coastal engineer but has spent a great deal of time on the coast . He said he sees a couple of good engineers who he respects in the room . Mr . Windes stated the coastal management plan is to keep the Pass open and if this proposal will extend the time between dredgings it , then it is a good bet . He pointed out that in the North end the Board voted to go with the experts regarding positioning and construction of the Courthouse . Mr . Windes stated that issue was emotions versus efficiencies and this is the same thing . He said he ·will oppose the motion and will support the people who know what they are doing . Mrs . Ketchel asked to take a vote on the motion for a matter of the record. Both she and Mr . Windes called for the vote . Mr . Goodwin did not think it necessary to force the motion and removed his second for procedural reasons . Motion fails for lack of a second . Mr . Boyles made motion , seconded by Mr . Harris , to approve the staff recommendation in its entirety . 3 yeas , 2 nays . (Mrs . Ketchel and Mr . Goodwin voted no . ) RECESS - The meeting was recessed at 11 : 34 a . m. and reconvened at 11 : 45 a . m. RISK MANAGEMENT - FY 2017 BENEFITS RENEWAL Ms . Laura Porter , Risk Manager , stated conceptual approval of the benefits package is needed in order to finalize budget estimates and conduct employee enrollment meetings in August . The agenda request recommends the following actions : • Approve heal th insurance with Florida Blue at a 6% rate increase • Approve renewal of life insurance , AD&D , Long Term Disability , and vision with Standard Insurance Company with no changes in rates • Approve the dental plan renewal with MetLife with a rate increase not to exceed 25 % • Approve renewal of the Flexible Spending Account and Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) programs with account administration through Lockard & Williams with no rate changes She explained the 6% increase in heal th insurance with Florida Blue applies to both the increase the county would pay for its July 19 , 2016 -15- Minute Book 75 , Page 49