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

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 Rynearson 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. 5t" 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. 5t" 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. Mr. Miller moved to set a Special Council meeting for May 5, 2009 to discuss City leases. 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.  4 -14 -09 164 Regular Council 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 County Commissioner's agenda. He reported the April City Council Agenda and the May Kepner Drive project will commence on Tuesday to install 1600 feet of water line and fire hydrants. MAYOR/COUNCIL COMMENTS Mr. Holmes welcomed the new Councilmen and mentioned the landscaping at the cemetery looks nice and he has received a 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 manner, 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 are25th and he marketing the area. The Mayor advised the Memorial Day ceremony will be held on May 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. APPROVED: ATTEST: MAYOR: CITY CLERK ddm  O" O O r 00 y Q 60 0 9 m C D 3 m •. o 0 r 0 day' ,. o ! a D O 00 co d p d i wo O o 0 a 3 O 0 O= d V 0 03 V A : % d low t3 0 m y m Vr roo- d'_,,d W ca O a f. v 0 d moo O V 3; logo m0000 0000 cs