Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 04-28-09 regular — reading text

Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. Dennis Reeves volunteered to remain the alternate. The Mayor called for the vote to appoint Dennis. Reeves as the alternate to the Regional Utility Authority ( RUA) from April 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010 and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. CRA APPOINTMENT Consideration of appointment to the CRA Board of Commissioners — tabled at the 3 -24 -09 Council meeting. The Mayor noted there are now five applications for one appointment for the unexpired term until January 27, 2011. Mr. Holmes nominated Karen Huff, 2430 Avenida Desol, Navarre. Mr. Garvie nominated Lewis Jennings, 605 Mooney Road, Fort Walton Beach. Mr. Reeves nominated Tom Tona, 207 Walkedge, Fort Walton Beach. The Mayor opened the floor to the public. Jenna Leigh Caldwell, 696 Tyner Street # 32, owner of the business at 39 Eglin Parkway, stated she was approached to apply for the vacancy and expressed her desire to become involved because that part of town needs to be addressed to make it look as great as downtown. As no one else wished to speak public input was closed. The Mayor called for the vote on the nomination to appoint Lewis Jennings and it failed with Garvie in favor. The Mayor called for the vote on the nomination to appoint Karen Huff and it failed with Holmes in favor. 162 Regular Council 4 -14 -09 CRA APPOINTMENT cont. The Mayor called for the vote to appoint Tom Tona, 207 Walkedge Drive SE, to the CRA Board of Commissioners for the unexpired term until January 27, 2011 and it carried with Miller, Reeves, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. MUNICIPAL CODE Canceling agreement with Municipal Code Supplement Services. The City Clerk requested permission to allow her department to prepare the codification for 2009. She reported a letter had to be sent prior to bringing it to City Council to cancel the supplement services of Municipal Code or it would have automatically extended for another year. She believed her department can prepare the codification updates with assistance from the City Attorney and City Manager. She advised that the 2008 information had been sent to Municipal Code after the first of the year to prepare the codification supplement and to date it has not been completed. She mentioned it will save the City approximately $ 3, 200 - 3, 500 a year. Mr. Reeves moved to approve the action taken to cancel the Supplement Services of Municipal Code Corporation and the City Clerk to provide the municipal code services in- house. Mr. Garvie seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Fynearson in favor. LEASES FOR CITY PROPERTY Request to schedule workshop to discuss policy direction for leases for City property. The Acting City Manager mentioned over the last couple of months a number of leases have crossed his desk that range from $ 1. 00 a year to a substantial amount depending on the property leased and the lessee. He commented there are entities leasing City property for well below market value and thought the City has a judiciary responsibility to the citizens to evaluate whether the entity requesting the lease is performing a municipal service that the City could perform. He mentioned he and the City Attorney have been working on a methodology to provide guidance in evaluating the potential tenants. 5th He requested Council schedule a Special meeting on May to discuss policy on City leases to give guidance in preparing standardized leases and in negotiating the leases. 5th It was noted a Special Council meeting is scheduled for May to discuss the defined contribution plan and this issue can be placed as a second topic at that meeting. It was commented that Council should also discuss whether City staff should control the leasing of commercial property or whether a professional Commercial Real Estate Company should control the leasing of property, and Council should evaluate why they should give away property to non -profits. Mr. Miller moved to set a Special Council meeting for May 5, 2009 to discuss City leases. Mr. Garvie seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. ACTING CITY MANAGER APPOINTMENT Council approval of reappointment of Robert Mearns for an additional 90 day term. Mark Wiltsie, Administrative Services Director, noted this item is Council to consider re- appointment of Robert Mearns as the Acting City Manager for an additional 90 day period or until such time as Council hires a permanent City Manager. The Mayor opened the floor for public input. As no one wished to speak public input was closed. Mr. Patterson moved to open negotiations with the Acting City Manager for a four -year contract contingent on a satisfactory background investigation. Mr. Miller seconded motion. Regular Council 4 -14 -09 163 ACTING CITY MANAGER APPOINTMENT cont. Discussion included a cordial exchange of views on whether or not to continue with the process and proceed with identifying finalists for interview. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion to open negotiations with the Acting City Manager for a four -year contract contingent on a satisfactory background investigation and it carried by a vote of 5 to 2 with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor and Garvie and Nabors opposed. Mr. Rynearson moved to extend the contract of the Acting City Manager until such time the City Manager) contract is finalized in confirmation with Robert Mearns or until Council appoints a new City Manager. Mr. Holmes seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. Mr. Miller moved to approve the City Attorney and Human Resources Director negotiate the City Manager) contract with the Acting City Manager Robert Mearns. Mr. Patterson seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. Chuck Keeler, 163 Scottsdale Drive, Mary Esther, former Police Chief and City Manager for the City of Fort Walton Beach expressed that Council made a good choice in Robert Mearns and volunteered his services at any time. The timeframe involved in the background check was questioned. Mr. Wiltsie believed the background check could be completed in a week to ten days and staff will attempt to bring it to Council at the next meeting. He said Slavin will perform the reference check and staff can perform the rest in- house. CITY MANAGER POSITION Council to identify five ( 5) finalists and one ( 1) alternate for selection of a new City Manager. Item pulled from the agenda, no action taken. ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF COUNCIL AND MAYOR Request from Councilman Miller —Discussion regarding the Role and Responsibilities of City Council and Mayor. This item was pulled from the agenda. DECLARE COUNCIL AS CRA Request from Councilman Miller — Discussion regarding Council to declare itself the Community Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners, and utilize existing CRA Board Members as a downtown advisory group. This item was postponed until May 12, 2009 Council meeting. UWF /GREAT SYLVANIA HEIGHTS FRONT PORCH Request for Council' s support for UWF /Greater Sylvania Heights Front Porch' s application for funding assistance for Brownfields Training. John Hofstad, Utilities Director, explained the request is for Mayor Anderson to execute a support letter for the Greater Sylvania Heights Front Porch neighborhood, along with the University of West Florida, seeking federal grant dollars through the Brownfields program to conduct hazardous materials training and Hazwopper training within their neighborhood. 1 64 Regular Council 4 -14 -09 UWF /GREAT SYLVANIA HEIGHTS FRONT PORCH cont. Mr. Garvie moved to support the UWF /Greater Sylvania Heights Front Porch application for Brownfields Training. Mr. Reeves seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. CITY MANAGER REPORTS The Acting City Manager advised the Wastewater Treatment Interlocal Agreement has been given preliminary approval and that the Bond Insurer is voting on it today and if approved, it will be on the 28th 5th April City Council Agenda and the May County Commissioner's agenda. He reported the Kepner Drive project will commence on Tuesday to install 1600 feet of water line and fire hydrants. MAYORICOUNCIL COMMENTS Mr. Holmes welcomed the new Councilmen and mentioned the landscaping at the cemetery looks nice and he has received at lot of comments. He also commented on the new agenda format. Mr. Miller commented that tonight's meeting went in a positive way and hoped in the future issues are addressed in a respectful rnanner, and he looks forward to working with the new Council. Mr. Reeves noted the new Council members are a " breath of fresh air" and there is definitely a different spirit in the Council Chambers, and he is looking forward to working with the new Council. He also thanked all members of the City Boards and Committees for their efforts. Mr. Garvie noted the serious monetary issues within the County and City that will affect many of the services provided to the citizens. Mr.Nabors stated he is looking forward to serving on Council and thanked City staff and former Council members for their help and support. Mr. Patterson thanked the! citizens for electing him back to the Council and that he is there to work for them. Mr. Rynearson congratulated the Finance Director and Budget/Grant Manager for the awards they received. He also commented on the work done at the cemetery and mentioned a lot of positive comments have been received. The Mayor congratulated Chief Dutton for being named " Chief Fire Officer" one of only 630 in the world to be so designated. He also noted the good work done by the Police Department, the Public Works staff, and all City Departments. He pointed out the update from the EDC and how they are 25th marketing the area. The Mayor advised the Memorial Day ceremony will be held on May and he will be out of town and asked Council to look at their calendars so that someone else can attend in his place. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8: 35 p. m. ATTEST: MAYOR: CITY CLERK ddm  CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH MEMORANDUM Date: April 15, 2009 To: Robert Mearns, Acting City Manager Thru: Missy McKim, Development Services Director Thru: Thomas