Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 05-09-06 ‎(regular)‎ — reading text

181 Special Council 4- 18- 06 Police Pre-5ervice Hirina Proaram cont. The City Manager explained the program would pay academy tuition, exam fees and a salary prior to a candidate entering the City' s Field Training and Evaluation Program and in exchange, police candidates would be required to sign a contract to provide good police service for three years following completion of the field training; if the candidate fails to complete the academy, the field training or three years of service, then reimbursement of the City' s expense would be required. Ted Litschauer, Police Chief, acknowledged that the candidate would have to sign a contract to agree to provide three years of good service and if they fail to do that then they pay back the City. He mentioned the success of this program in recruiting and retaining police officers at his previous place of employment. It was suggested that the difference between minimum wage and the actual wage also be included for reimbursement; or that the salary be designated as a stipend that would have to be repaid in full. The City Manager stated a contract can be drafted by the labor attorney. Mr. Holmes moved to fund law enforcement academy tuition and exam fees for up to the number of officer vacancies at the time of the next enrollment period for the law enforcement academy. Mr. CampbeU seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. Fire Station 7 Renovations (strateaic plan aoal) Should Fire Station 7 ( Lewis Turner Blvd.) be renovated? The City Manager went over three renovation options with a preliminary total of $750,000. Phase I would be to renovate the sleeping quarters, shower facilities, locker rooms, and bathrooms; to modernize the kitchen, apparatus bay, computer room and gym facilities, at an estimated cost of $300, 000; Phase II, in addition to the renovations in Phase I, would be to refurbish the outbuilding that is currently leased to the County EMS and turn it into a combination training room/back- up Emergency Operations Center capable of sitting 30 students, and to construct a portico shelter capable of storing operational trailers, primary movers, and reserve apparatus, at an estimated cost of $240, 000; and Phase III, in addition to the renovations in Phases I & II, would be to demolish the training tower and bum building and construct in its place a new training tower and bum building, at an estimated cost of $300, 00. She suggested the funds be borrowed from the Florida League of Cities to phase in the improvements over a three- year period. Discussion included borrowing the funds to do the renovations of all three phases at once. The City Manager mentioned if it is Council's desire to immediately implement the renovations, then drawings would be needed and costs lined up before borrowing the money. Mike Dutton, Fire Chief, clarified that Station 7 would have communication capability as a back- up emergency operations if needed during a hurricane, but there would be no sleeping facilities. Mr. Patterson moved immediate (FY 06- 07) implementation and issuance of debt for Fire Station 7 renovations. Mr. Holmes seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. Fire Command Vehicle Should a % ton utility vehicle with command module be purchased? The City Manager explained the Fire Chief proposes allowing the % ton pickup truck to be used by the fire inspections then to purchase a new command size vehicle. She recommended a new fire inspection vehicle be purchased and to postpone the purchase of a command vehicle. 182 4- 18- 06 Special Council Fire Command Vehicle cont. to During brief discussion, it was mentioned that the command vehicle also houses the equipment and the firefighters not being monitored; and that the monitor the safety of the firefighters currently are of a new command vehicle has been postponed for a number of years, and that it is needed for . purchase the safety of the firefighters. Dr. Pullen moved to fund the purchase of a new command vehicle. Mr. Campbell seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. Emolovee COLA Should there be an annual cost of living increase effective October 1, 2006? The City Manager went over the previous years COLA adjustments and the surrounding jurisdictions anticipated COLA increase for next year. She wished to know whether Council would like to provide a COLA adjustment for the general and police employees and if so, what rate they wish to set. She noted the firefighters will receive a 2. 0% COLA as part of the bargaining agreement, which expires September 30, 2007. She mentioned that next year they would have to seriously look at the firefighters and the police officers pay to make sure the City is remaining competitive. of index During brief discussion it was mentioned that the City COLA is routinely under the cost living used by the federal government, and it was noted that the federal government has a graduated pay scale where the city has a step increase each year. Mr. Tucker moved to endorse a 2.99% COLA adjustment for general and police employees effective October 1, 2006. Mr. Campbell seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. City Manaaer Reoraanization Should a Deputy City Manager position be authorized? The City Manager explained the request is to increase the positions by one to hire a Deputy City Manager who would be responsible for overseeing the Human Resources, Information Technology, would Community Services, Parks and Recreation, and Golf Departments; and the City Manager maintain direct of the Purchasing, Police, Fire, Public Works, and Utilities Departments, as well oversight as informal oversight of the Finance Department. Mr. Minich moved to authorize a Deputy City Manager in FY 06-07 budget. Mr. Patterson seconded motion and it carried by a vote of 6 to 1 with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Hartwell, and Minich In favor and Pullen opposed. Ad Valorem Taxes ( Mlllaae Rate) (stratealc olan aoal\ Should the millage rate be maintained at 4. 9700 mills in preparation of the FY 06- 07 budget? The City Manager recalled Council asked staff to present low, medium and high revenue and expense scenarios for the General Fund. She reviewed three different ad Valorem tax rates, diminished, level maintained, and enhanced, and the impact each would have on the fund balance and the service the City would be able to provide. and Rate A, Diminished at the roll- back rate of 4. 3323, would reduce or eliminate some services increase, attrition or delay in filling vacancies, a programs such as a salary freeze on the COLA and step reduction in health benefits, a delay in capital improvements, and a delay in vehicle and equipment replacements. The impact to the fund balance would be $ 2, 155, 996. 00.  183 Special Council 4- 18- 06 Ad Valorem Taxes cont. Rate B, Maintained at the roll- back rate adjusted to 4. 6485, would allow some services and programs to continue such as the employee COLA, the ALS Program, the police station window repairs and canopy additiQn, and shared take- home vehicle for patrol officers. The impact to the fund balance would be 1, 829, 137. 00. Rate C, Enhanced at the current rate of 4.9700, would allow expanded or added services and programs such as the Fire Station 7 renovations, the non- shared police take-home vehicle for patrol officers, an attainable housing program, a fire command vehicle, and unpaved road improvements. The impact to the fund balance would be $ 1,499, 283. 00. The City Manager mentioned it would be helpful to know which rate to use in preparation of the budget for FY 06- 07. She recommended the millage rate be maintained at the current 4. 9700 rate and noted it can always be lowered. Mr. Minich moved to maintain the current rate of 4.9700 mills in preparation of the FY 06- 07budget. Mr. Campbell seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. Chamber Acoustics Mr. Hartwell mentioned complaints about the acoustics in the Chamber. The City Manager stated that 10, 000.00 has been programmed in the budget for a new sound system in the Council Chambers but audio conferencing capability has not been put in. Mr. Hartwell moved to add audio conferencing capability to complement the City Clerk' s proposed acoustic improvements in the Council Chambers. Dr. Pullen seconded motion. Mr. Hartwell mentioned problems with some Boards and Committees losing members because of job requirements. During a brief discussion it was mentioned that the City Attomey had already addressed in a memo the issue of whether or not audio conference could be done; and that Council previously voted the issue down. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it failed by a vote of 3 to 4 with Patterson, Pullen, and Hartwell in favor and Holmes, Campbell, Tucker, and Minich opposed. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Patterson reported the Fair Association addressed an issue with the lease agreement that requires a list of activities to be provided to Council for approval. He relayed that creates a problem when some activities cancel and other activities want to schedule but there is not enough time to come before Council for approval. The City Manager reported that Mr. Bull Rigdon has requested to appear before Council to discuss the matter and to allow like- kind activities to replace those that cancel. The City Attomey mentioned that under that portion of the lease the activities the Fair Association is into the supposed to conduct is for public purposes, and whether or not they are conducted is getting basics. She mentioned another consideration is that the lease is