Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 11-27-07 regular minutes — reading text

provide landscaping around the base of the signs. The City Manager explained the Revised Exhibit B in that the sign to be constructed on the east side of Eglin Parkway and south of Perry has been reserved due to problems with the property owner, and placement of the sign is reserved with final approval of the determined location shall be by the City Council as an addendum to this Modification of Settlement Agreement. Mr. Raines advised that for each of the three billboards the City will have a 6- second spot on each board, as well as public safety alerts, and the wording ' Welcome to Fort Walton Beach' permanently on the sign. Council questioned how this would affect the sign ordinance. The City Attorney explained that these signs will never be conforming because the City Code does not allow them; however, this is a settlement agreement and is completely different from the Code, and the agreement is being made directly with Lamar; therefore, it will not affect the City code. There was no pUblic input. Dr. Pullen moved to approve the modified settlement agreement to include Exhibit B with the reserved sign. Mr. Holmes seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. RES. 07- 30. INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY AND CRA The Mayor read the resolution by title only. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH AND COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA, DATED FEBRUARY 15, 2002, AND SETTING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. The CDS Director stated this is an update to the interlocal agreement and extends it to December 31, 2026, to coincide with the existing CRA Plan and the updated plan approved tonight on first reading. There was no public input. I Mr. Minich moved to approve Res. 07- 30. Mr. Holmes seconded motion and it carried by a vote of 6 to 1 with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Hartwell, and Minich in favor and Pullen opposed.  243 Regular Council 11/27/ 07 WASTEWATER SERVICE AGREEMENT Consideration of a request for Council authorization to secure the services of an independent engineering consulting firm and law firm to evaluate the Wastewater Service Agreement presented by Okaloosa County for treatment of the City' s influent wastewater flow at the proposed new Arbennie Pritchett Water Reclamation Facility to be constructed immediately east of the City' s existing wastewater treatment plant. If approved, sufficient funding is available in the current Fiscal Year 2007- 08 budget for this effort. r John Hofstad, Utilities Director, advised that at the October 9, 2007 Council meeting, staff presented information regarding recent talks with Okaloosa County regarding consolidating wastewater treatment operations. He stated that he now has a draft Interlocal Agreement from Okaloosa County which Staff has reviewed, whereby conceptually, the City would pay a percentage of the County' s commercial rate for every 1, 000 gallons of wastewater sent to the new facility for treatment. Mr. Hofstad also presented an overview of the County' s Draft Agreement, including monthly service rates, compensation for wet weather flow events, reclaimed wastewater service, and potential impacts resulting from Eglin' s EUL Initiative. He further advised that the County' s new facility is not expected to be operational until September 2009, that the City has yet to receive a construction permit from the FDEP for the planned renovation work for their treatment facility, and any activities related to the WWTP renovation will be delayed until the County' s proposal has been thoroughly analyzed and Council provides direction on how best to proceed. Mr. Hofstad advised that Staff is requesting Council authorization to secure the services of an independent engineering consulting firm and law firm to evaluate the Wastewater Service Agreement presented by Okaloosa County for treatment of the City' s influent wastewater flow at the proposed new Arbennie Pritchett Water Reclamation Facility, at an estimated consulting cost of $75,000. 00. Council discussion included the need for a professional, experienced consulting engineering and law firm to negotiate with the County on the City' s behalf; the concern of the tertiary supply to the golf course; and the importance of moving forward with the study to ensure the best interest of the City is upheld. Mr. Minich moved to secure the services of an independent engineering consulting firm and law firm to evaluate the Wastewater Service Agreement presented by Okaloosa County for treatment of the City' s influent wastewater flow at the proposed new Arbennie Pritchett Water Reclamation Facility, at an estimated consulting cost of $75, 000, to be constructed immediately east of the City' s existing wastewater treatment plant. Mr. Holmes seconded motion and it carried by a vote of 6 to 1 with Holmes, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor and Miller opposed. TRICARE INSURANCE PROGRAM I Consideration of a request for Council authorization to amend the City' s current policy with regard to paying 50% of the premium for the Tricare Supplemental Insurance Program and adopt a revised policy whereby the City would not offer any incentive for participation in the Tricare Program, effective January 1, 2008. Mark Wiltsie, Human Resources Director, advised that as a result of federal legislation enacted last year, starting January 1,2008, the City can no longer make contributions to the Tricare Supplement. He stated the policy needs to be amended whereby the City pays 50% of the premium, which Council adopted in 2003. 244 Regular Council 11/27/ 07 TRICARE INSURANCE PROGRAM ( CONTI Mr. Wiltsie explained the affected employees will be given the opportunity to pay the entire premium or join the City' s main medical insurance program. Mr. Garvie moved to amend the City' s current policy with regard to paying 50% of the premium for the Tricare Supplemental Insurance Program and adopt a revised policy whereby the City would not offer any incentive for participation in the Tricare Program, I' effective January 1, 2008. Mr. Minich seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich In favor. j.:. RES. 07-29. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT CONCERNING PROPERTY TAXES The Mayor withdrew this item until the December 11 meeting. A RESOLUTION OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING FLORIDA CITIZENS TO CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT CONCERNING PROPERTY TAXES THAT WILL APPEAR ON THE JANUARY 29, 2008 BALLOT; OPPOSING SAID PROPOSAL FOR REASONS STATED HEREIN; SUPPORTING A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROHIBITING UNFUNDED STATE MANDATES IN ORDER TO REDUCE PROPERTY TAXES; SUPPORTING A PROHIBITION ON THE STATE' S PRACTICE OF REQUIRING LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD TO INCREASE PROPERTY TAXES; AND URGING THE FLORIDA TAXATION AND BUDGET REFORM COMMISSION TO DEVELOP MEASURES CONSISTENT WITH THIS RESOLUTION. CRA BOARD APPOINTMENT Consideration of appointment to the CRA Board of Commissioners. Mr. Minich nominated Robert Nabors, 154 Brooks Street SE. Dr. Pullen nominated William Walter, 320 Smith Drive. Council noted that both applicants would be an asset to the CRA Board. The Mayor advised the voting would be by alphabetical order. The Mayor called for the vote on the nomination of Robert Nabors, 154 Brooks Street SE, to the CRA Board of Commissioners for an unexpired term until January 27, 2011, and it carried by a vote of 4 to 3 with Holmes, Reeves, Garvie, and Minich in favor and Miller, Pullen, and Hartwell opposed. GOLF CLUB ADVISORY COMMITTEE Consideration of extending or terminating the Golf Club Advisory Ad~Hoc Committee. Discussion included the fact that during its four years, the Golf Club Advisory Committee did a great job, but now that the Golf Club is running smoothly under current management, the Committee should be terminated with the understanding it can be arises in the future. Mr. Minich moved to terminate the Golf Club 2007. Dr. Pullen seconded motion and it carried brought back if the need Advisory Ad- Hoc Committee as of July 1, I unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. MAYOR/COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS Dr. Pullen stated his feeling that the height limitations established by Eglin should be included in the Comprehensive Plan update. Dr. Pullen also thanked the citizens for their support.  245 Regular Council 11/27107 MAYOR/COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS ( CONT) Mr. Garvie advised that Judge Maney and/ or his wife will be taking a lead role in the issue of homeless veterans. Mr. Reeves expressed concern regarding the letter from Dr. Pullen that was published in the Daily News November on 26, specifically the issue of disclosure by Council members. Mr. r Reeves wanted it written into the record that when looking for a place for his new business, which is at Uptown Corners, he did not contact or speak with Jay Odom regarding the lease and he did not contact the company to discuss that location until July 12. 1 The Mayor also addressed Dr. Pullen' s letter stating his feeling that it was filled with innuendos and insinuations, and if someone feels that Council is being influenced by special interests then point it out. The Mayor also advised he had lunch with the Young Professionals and their planned involvement with the City; that he attended a Habitat for Humanity ribbon cutting; and that Staff has had input on " green communities" and if Council was interested in pursuing that; that he signed the defeasing papers for the fairgrounds