Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 09-08-09 regular minutes — reading text

PRIORITIES FOR 2010 Establishing legislative priorities for 2010. The Mayor stated the Northwest Florida League of Cities wants to know what the City thinks is important and noted last year Council voted three issues: water quality initiatives, alternate water sources, and transportation funding as highest priority. Discussion of issues included property tax reform, support for home rule, restoration of beaches, and reform of wind insurance. The City Manager suggested that the legislative delegates appear before Council before their legislative session begins to discuss what they forecast and to hear Council' s thoughts. Mr. Garvie moved to forward the following three priorities for the 2010 legislative session: 1) reform of wind insurance coverage, 2) alternate water sources, and 3) transportation funding. Mr. Miller seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. REQUEST TO AMEND MUMS ZONING DISTRICT Request to amend Mixed Use Main Street ( MUMS) Zoning District to permit the sale of new watercraft and new automobiles as a conditional use. Discussion item was requested by Council member Nabors. The Mayor pointed out since this is a change to the Land Development Code there is a process to go through to get it done.  9 -8 -09 Regular Council meeting 288 REQUEST TO AMEND MUMS ZONING DISTRICT cont. Mr. Nabors discussed the history of the 4.2 acres of property on the north side of Highway 98 where the owner would like to sell new watercraft and new automobiles but the zoning does not permit. He was advised that a conditional use is the quickest way to get this type of use to the code and the request is not site specific, it would apply to the MUMS district. He mentioned the owner has tried to do multiple things but the problem is with the way it is zoned and the size of the property it would have to be developed with multiple commercial buildings for it to be used. The City Manager explained to change the Land Development Code it would have to go through the process. He mentioned Council can direct staff to make that application; otherwise the property owner would need to come in to make the application. The City Attorney advised because the property is within the CRA it would need to be addressed through the CRA first then it would go to the Municipal Planning Board. Confusion was expressed on how the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan works and it was thought information or a workshop may be helpful. It was noted in the past that Council needed input from the advisory boards and there is a process. The City Attorney noted that the owner would make application to change the Land Development Code and likewise, staff can make application on their own and bring it forward. She mentioned it may be inconsistent with the CRA Plan. Mr. Nabors moved to recommend staff make an application and put it in front of the Municipal Planning Board. Mr. Miller seconded motion. Discussion included an exchange of views on whether the owner should make the application himself in order to state exactly what he would like to do; whether staff can help the application get filed so it can get in front of the Municipal Planning Board and help the owner get on track a little faster; and was questioned what the owner had been advised. Michael Beedie, Engineer, explained staff mentioned to the owner that staff could not bring it forward, that they are tasked to follow the code, and that Council could direct staff to bring it forward to possibly help him through the process. During discussion on the process and direction that needs to be followed for a change to the Land Development Code, it was mentioned Council needs to hear from the people if there is an issue with the process, and commented if there is an issue not being fully addressed by staff then the people need to come forward. The City Attorney commented staff could bring back a report and suggested that Council is by-passing the City Manager as the Charter says they are not allowed to direct staff. She would not advise Council to spot zone for one piece of property. She said the conditional use process is the same as any other Land Development Code change. The City Manager mentioned he heard a lot he was not aware of and they will deal with it. Mr. Nabors withdrew the motion. REQUEST TO RENAME NWF FAIRGROUNDS Discussion regarding re- naming the NW Florida Fairground to the C.H. " Bull" Rigdon Fairgrounds and Recreation Complex. Discussion item was requested by Council member Reeves. Mr. Reeves presented his idea of honoring Bull Rigdon for his years of service to the City by renaming the fairgrounds as the fairgrounds would not have taken shape without Mr. Rigdon' s hard work and efforts. Regular Council meeting 9 -8 -09 289 REQUEST TO RENAME NWF FAIRGROUNDS cont. Mr. Reeves moved to establish the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds as the C.H. " Bull' Rigdon Fairground and Recreation Complex. Mr. Patterson seconded motion. During some discussion there was reluctance expressed on naming property that may eventually be sold. The City Attorney stated the City owns the fairgrounds and can name it and rename it as many times as they want. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried by a vote of 6 to 1 with Holmes, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor and Miller opposed. ACCEPT FUNDS FROM US MARSHALS SERVICE Acceptance of funds from the US Marshals Service and approval for staff to execute memorandum of understanding. Police Chief Ted Litschauer explained the Memorandum of Understanding ( MOU) will replace the existing MOU with the US Marshals Service. He said the Marshals Service has funds available only during the month of September prior to the end of their fiscal year and have elected to donate up to $ 25, 000 for the single purchase of a vehicle. He said if approved by Council then next fiscal year the Marshals Service intend to authorize another $ 5, 000 to retrofit the vehicle and $ 6,000 per year for a three year period for fuel. He noted there are restrictions on the use of the vehicle but they do not hamper the operations needs and will provide an additional resource then in three years the Marshals Service will have no interest in the vehicle and the City can do with it as they see fit. He requested Council accept the funds and authorize staff to execute the MOU. The Mayor opened the floor for public input. As no one wished to speak public input was closed. Mr. Garvie moved to accept the funds from the US Marshals Service, authorize the Police Chief to execute the Memorandum of Understanding and to proceed with the timely obligation of the purchase of a vehicle in accordance with the instructions and forms provided by the United States Marshals Service obligating them for the purchase. Mr. Patterson seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. CITY MANAGER REPORTS The City Manager reminded Council of the Special Council meeting scheduled for tomorrow evening, September 9, 2009 at 5: 30 p.m. for the first budget public hearing. MAYORICOUNCIL COMMENTS Mr. Holmes mentioned some of the committees have trouble getting a quorum to hold a meeting and suggested that maybe staff could look at the boards and committees, such as the Vision Plan Stewardship Committee or the Waterfront Committee, to see if they should be re- directed or combined. Mr. Miller invited the public to attend the budget hearing tomorrow night. Mr. Reeves mentioned he receives complaints about the process and said he will do what he can while he is in office. He also thanked those on Council who supported him in naming the fairgrounds after Bull Rigdon. Mr. Garvie mentioned he was proud of Council tonight, it was a good meeting. Mr. Nabors echoed agreement and expressed appreciation for the good discussion. Mr. Patterson thanked the community service organizations who offer their services to the community for free. He mentioned when he is approached with a problem he normally calls the City Manager because that is where it should go first. He also mentioned September is Constitution month.  Regular Council meeting 9 -8 -09 290 MAYOR/COUNCIL COMMENTS coot. Mr. Rynearson expressed appreciation to the citizens for their input. The Mayor mentioned some of the emails regarding the Science Center came directly to him so he forwarded them to City Council; there is a community initiative to bring Southwest to VPS; he attended an event at Mulhollows for the Historic Preservation and Cultural Center; he attended the Gulf Power Symposium and learned is there is the need to look at property tax reform and insurance issues; gave an update on the Veterans Memorial; mentioned there are two budget public hearings scheduled, September 9`h and 16th to begin at 5: 30 p.m. He apologized for jumping out of his role as facilitator of the meeting. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10: 13 p.m. APPROVED: :/ i _ mil I i 6aln / ddm