Okaloosa County BOCC — July 19, 2016 — June 20, 2016 Special Meeting Minutes — reading text

are those who place emphasis on aesthetics. Mr . Goodwin posed a question on whether or not parking meets codes . Mr . Autrey answered that because it is downtown , we do not have to meet code . He told the Board that he does not believe either plan provides sufficient parking . PUBLIC COMMENTS At this time Mr . Windes opened the floor for public comment . He stated everyone will be given an opportunity to speak but asked that remarks be limited to three minutes and to avoid repetitive comments if possible . Mr . John Whitley , Fort Walton Beach , stated he grew up in Crestview and his heart is still here . He said the last governmental building to be constructed in North County was the Courthouse in the 1950s . Mr . Whitley gave respect to the Historical Committee but stated the current facility is an embarrassment . He stated he does not care which way the new building faces and pointed out June 20 , 2016 -5- Minute Book 74 , Page 269 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners that all five commissioners voted to build it . Mr . Whitley asked the commissioners to stop talking about it and pleaded they not consider rebidding the work . He expressed concern that it has taken a year and a half to get this far and said he doesn ' t know if it is a stalling tactic or cronyism . Mr . Landon Edwards said he understood there was a plan years ago to build a new Courthouse on Highway 85 North near the post office . He concurred with earlier comments about future growth for North County and said there is not sufficient parking in downtown . He supported expansion for the City of Crestview and asked for a new Courthouse to be built on Highway 85 North . Mr . Bill Forte stated the current Courthouse is not a historical building . He said in the 1950s people arrived at the train station and the business district stretched from the railroad to the Courthouse . Mr . Forte stated in those days you traveled up Highway 85 to Crestview , noting Highway 85 was Main Street in those days . He said today ' s needs are different and we need to revitalize downtown. Mr . David Colon stated he owns two businesses in downtown Crestview . He said when he made those purchases , there was a lot of traffic downtown but now there is no traffic in front of his businesses on Main Street . Mr . Colon asked the Board to make a decision to move forward . He said if columns are the issue , put some on the side . Mr . Eugene Strickland came forward to speak about traditions . He said in his line of work there is a great deal of rootlessness in society . He felt having traditions helps people become more stable . Mr . Strickland referred to the traditions of America . He then asked the Board to support the traditional placement of the new building . Mr . John Thompson , north of Crestview , stated he would like to echo the comments of the first speaker . He said everyone was moved out of the building and the project is on hold . Mr . Thompson felt the delays are costly and recommended the commissioners get a good plan and go with it . Mr . Ronald Gautney , West Woodruff , stated the historic district is the downtown area . He noted citizens have been unable to access the Courthouse from both sides for some time . Mr . Gautney said "Start on this tomorrow ." June 20 , 2016 -6- Minute Book 74 , Page 270 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr . John Marshall , Baker , stated he knows what motivates commissioners and that is votes . He said he is very active in politics , that he has been out talking with people and the majority of them want Plan B. Mr . Marshall stated if the commissioners go with Plan A, he will work to get them out of office . Mrs . Viola Owens stated she has a deep heritage in this county . She said to call the current Courthouse historical is absurd . She encouraged the commissioners to hold firm to their decision and build the new Courthouse as designed . Mrs . Tracy Tonannon , Casbah Coffee Company ( 19 6 West Pine in Crestview) , stated we cannot make everyone happy. Mrs . Tonannon said she is from a small town in Arizona and though she was hesitant about the changes planned in that community , she said they were done beautifully . She felt we need to makes changes and perhaps those changes will bring new customers . Mrs . Tonannon asked the Board to move forward. Upon inquiry by Mrs . Ketchel , Mrs . Tonannon stated their business is very slow at present. Upon inquiry by Mr . Harris , Mrs . Tonannon agreed with the statement business is down by 10 % to 15 % since the closure of the Courthouse . Ms . Sharon Adams , Crestview , told the commissioners they made a wonderful decision to construct a new Courthouse and welcomed them to the 21 st Century . She said changes are needed , especially after the events of 9-11 . Ms . Adams said many employees have been displaced with closure of the facility and we need to move forward. She asked them to move forward with a decision that would make all North County residents happy . Mr . Tom Gordon , Crestview , commented that when you are in business you try to hire someone who is smarter than you. Continuing , he said what is more important is you listen to those who are smarter than you . Mr. Gordon stated the bottom line is you hired experts and they have given you the best scenario . Mrs. Mae Reatha Coleman , McDonald Street , Crestview , stated she lives in this town and fights hard for it . She added that her husband is retired military . Mrs . Coleman stated growth is needed in Crestview and she does not care which way the Courthouse sits . She said the new courthouse (Administration Building) in Shalimar did not take this much effort. Mrs . Coleman renewed her wish for growth in Crestview and said she supports Plan B. She told the Board it was time to stop the June 20 , 2016 -7- Minute Book 74, Page 271 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners bickering and to come together to help each other and to help Crestview grow . Mr . James Longman , Crestview , stated he is a counselor and a minister . He said a new Courthouse with room for growth is needed . Mr . Longman termed the current building an eyesore . He felt that if a new Courthouse is constructed , downtown business owners will also upgrade their buildings. Alex Barthe , Crestview , said he believes there is a great opportunity for Plan B. He supported construction of a new Courthouse . Mr . Barthe added that he owns the UPS Store next to Publix and he came to Crestview because of its potential . He urged the commissioners not to become paralyzed with analysis and said the signal being sent is that we are incapable of making a decision . Mr . Barthe ended his comments by saying , "Giddy up . Let ' s go ." Mr . Mark Broadhead , Crestview , stated he thought this meeting was about orientation of the building not if it was to be built . As a realtor , he said location is important and secondly , it ' s curb appeal . He stated that Crestview is the county seat and as such it should be a show place . Mr . Broadhead felt driving up Main Street using Plan B orientation would be like receiving " a cold shoulder ." Mr . Chris Biden , Laurel Hill , said he appreciates the time being taken to listen to everyone . He stated Crestview is the county seat but appears it is being treated like a wasteland with no investment . Mr . Biden felt the county seat should be a queen and Crestview has deserved that treatment for a long time . He urged the commissioners to be wise with taxpayer money . Mr . James Broxson stated he will make no threats against any politician . He asked for verification that Plan B orients the building to the west and Plan A is more to the southeast . Mr . Autrey replied it is the same building just turned . Upon inquiry by Mr . Broxson , Mr . Autrey stated the costs are similar . Mr . Broxson said he would like for the new building to have a similar orientation as the current facility . Mr . Donnie Cadenhead , Crestview , stated 17 years ago he was involved in building a church and learned that sometimes making decisions is hard . He told the commissioners they must accept the role of leadership and they will never please everyone . Mr . Cadenhead asked them to seek peace from God. He said he believes June 20 , 2016 -8- Minute Book 74 , Page 272 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners j it will be the best thing for the City of Crestview and for the county to go forward with construction of a new Courthouse . Mr . Bill Barnhill stated his family moved here in the 1850s and were loggers by trade . He said there have been seven generations in this area . Mr . Barnhill spoke of the beautiful building design for the new Courthouse and said he favors Plan B. Mr . Ben White said the comment was made earlier that the costs for either plan is similar . He asked how orientation will affect accreditation and functionality . Mr . Autrey replied the cost differential is primarily because of utilities and security needs . A uniformed court security officer (not identified) in the audience was asked about a preference of the plans . His replied the preference is for Plan B but security personnel will make it work regardless of which option is chosen . Mr . Mark Todd , with residences in Shalimar and Baker , stated he works with the Baker Area Recreational Association (BARA) and as a member of that group , he supports Plan B. He also voiced support for the experts ' recommendation on the preferred orientation . Mr . Mickey Rytman , Crestview , stated he has been asked to speak on behalf of others . He felt there was not adequate advertising or discussion on the orientation of the building . Mr . Rytman said the building should face more to the southeast down Main Street with the columns providing the background as you drive up the street . Mr . J. B. Whitten , Crestview , stated although he is not representing the City Council tonight he doesn ' t think everyone knows the City Council ' s position on this issue . He reported the City Council voiced unanimous in support of Plan B and read a portion of a letter from Crestview Mayor Cadle stating that position . He asked the Board to move forward with the beautiful new facility and to give value to the position of the elected officials of the City of Crestview . Mr . Jerry Milligan , Crestview , said he favors Plan A and said the intent should be to have the Veterans Memorial as the centerpiece as you drive toward the Courthouse . Ms . Ann Spann requested the recommendations of the Historical Board be considered and for the new building to continue to face the direction it now does. She said the Courthouse overlooking Main Street is the heart of Crestview . Ms . Spann commented that the June 20 , 2016 -9- Minute Book 74 , Page 273 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Veterans Memorial should continue to have a position of prominence and deserved more than the " butt end " of the building . Ms . Ann Hall stated she supports Plan A. Ms . Hall said she came to Crestview in 1946 and arrived at the train station . She told the Board she watched the current Courthouse being built . Ms . Hall added that she does not care how large the footprint is and believes it should be oriented to face the Veterans Memorial . Mr . Ulysses Coleman asked how much this delay is costing the county per week . Mr . Autrey replied it is about $25 , 000 per week but there is no delay at this time . He said , however , if the plan is changed , it will be a six to eight-week delay . Upon further inquiry by Mr . Coleman , Mr . Autrey estimated that delay would cost