Okaloosa County BOCC — January 30, 2013 — reading text

Dan Sambenedetto------Twenty Years Darrel Welborn--------Twenty-five Years PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER UPDATES Mrs. Kathy Newby, Public Information Officer, stated Jenny Heady with the Extension Office will be her guest on the Okaloosa Today program which airs on Cox Channel 6. In other news, Mrs. Newby provided the following highlights: • “The Library Spot” is a new book vending machine located at the Baker Block Museum made possible by the Library Cooperative • “Panhandle Fresh” is the catch phrase to identify areas where residents can purchase local produce. The Farmer’s Market at Fort Walton Beach Fairgrounds will be opening mid-April. Two locations will be available in Crestview: Spanish Trail Park and at the new Main Street Market • For those desiring to see the cherry blossoms in Washington D.C., round trip tickets from Northwest Florida Regional Airports are available for $240 • The 4-H Summer Camp will be held June 10-14 at Camp Timpoochee. The contact person for the program is Haley Worley at the Extension Office (689-5850) • Nominations for the 2013 Women’s Wall of Honor may be submitted until April 15 VISITOR – TOM RICE, HISTORY OF BROOKS BRIDGE CORRIDOR STUDIES Following the incident on March 20 when a crane on a barge hit Brooks Bridge and resulted in the bridge being closed for a short period of time, Commissioner Boyles requested a April 2, 2013 -2- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners presentation regarding the history of the Brooks Bridge Corridor and alternate bridge route studies. Mr. Tom Rice, Chairman of the Emerald Coast Bridge Authority, stated the suitcase he brought represents $1 Million in bridge studies. He said Brooks Bridge was built in the narrows. The first bridge was constructed in 1929 and was a swing bridge which turned, stopping vehicular traffic, and allowed boats to pass. It was replaced in the 1960s with the current bridge. Mr. Rice stated one of the problems with older brides are they are lower and pointed out a new bridge would probably be twenty feet higher. He termed the sidewalk on the bridge as not being user friendly but said it was built according to standards established in the 1960s. Mr. Rice said the bridge the Authority is looking at “could happen further down the road” and could be either a replacement bridge or a toll bridge. He reported this to be a very emotional issue. Mr. Rice stated funding for the bridge dried up when the Speaker of the House (Representative Ray Sansom) resigned, saying he was the driving force behind the Authority. He remarked there is no magic solution and transportation issues are not easy. The Emerald Coast Bridge Authority was established in 2001 through a legislative act under House Bill 1897. Its members are appointed by the Governor with the FDOT District 3 Secretary as a non-voting, ex-officio member. Mr. Rice advised the Authority still exists but it is shut down and as an agent of the Governor, he sits and waits. He said the Authority spends no money. Mr. Rice reported the money owed on the original expenditure of $300,000 and another $500,000 has been accepted by the State as debt and the TPO and Board have been absolved of responsibility. Upon inquiry by Mr. Boyles, Mr. Rice stated three corridors made it through the process. They were the Hollywood Boulevard Bridge Corridor, Wright Parkway Corridor, and the existing Brooks Bridge Corridor. Aerial photographs with these options were displayed. He advised that the TPO did not like the Brooks Bridge Corridor proposal and the Fort Walton Beach City Council was strongly opposed to all three options. In 2002, Mr. Rice said Brooks Bridge received a rating of “F” for capacity but a “C” for structure. Mr. Rice said at a meeting attended by former FDOT Secretary Prescott, Secretary Prescott announced April 2, 2013 -3- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners they would not shove a transportation solution down anyone’s throat that no one wants. Mr. Parisot felt the recent bridge incident involving the crane could have been avoided if the crane operator had folded down the boom. Mr. Rice responded that a replacement bridge would be wider and much taller. He said the group also looked at construction of a tunnel but a tunnel is very expensive. SECOND READING OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE FOR AMENDMENT TO BUSINESS TAX ORDINANCE Mr. Stanford read the advertised legal notice for public hearing to consider amending Ordinance No. 07-12, known as the Okaloosa County Business Tax Ordinance. This public hearing was held on March 19, 2013 and approved at that time with the second reading of the draft ordinance scheduled for today. Mr. Dowd advised the public hearing has already been held and the ordinance is ready for adoption. Mr. Amunds opened the floor for public comment. No one came forward to speak. Mr. Parisot stated the proposed ordinance does away with multiple classifications, saying it will result in a tax rate increase for 92% of the businesses and a significant decrease for 7.8% of businesses. He said he would like for the Board to eliminate the ordinance all together. Mr. Boyles made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to adopt the ordinance. 4 yeas, 1 nay. (Mr. Parisot voted no.) ORDINANCE NO. 13-16 VISITOR – TED CORCORAN, PRESIDENT OF FWB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, FUNDING REQUEST Mr. Ted Corcoran, President of the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, requested a promotional grant to fund the presence of five B-25 Mitchell aircraft at the Destin Airport in support of the 71st Annual Doolittle Raider Reunion. The reunion is slated for April 17-20, adding this will be the last one. Mr. Corcoran advised there are only four surviving members, three of which will attend the event. He said there are only 26 airworthy B- April 2, 2013 -4- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners 25s remaining in the world. He reported the Fox Channel will cover the event and possibly one of the other major networks. Mr. Corcoran felt the reunion and B-25s will have a positive impact on branding and promoting Okaloosa County as an area rich in American heritage and history. He stated the Chamber does have a challenge with regard to the funding application process and that is why he is present to address the Board. Mr. Corcoran requested $25,000 for a promotional grant to cover the cost of fuel for the B-25s. Specifically, he said the request will be for $20,000 from the Tourist Development Tax Fifth Penny reserves for contingencies line item and $5,000 from the Northwest Florida Regional Airport VPS Marketing Fund. Tourist Development Director Daniel O’Byrne said TDD believes this will be a good investment and work on the project has been ongoing for a numbers of months. However, he stated the event does not fit into any categories. Mr. O’Byrne stated if the B- 25s commit, they will crank up a viral campaign and accelerate group sells to generate room occupancy. He felt capturing the story of the B-25s will serve as a basis for future military reunions and provide reinforcement that Okaloosa County is a critical destination because of Eglin Air Force Base. Mr. O’Byrne reported there is $561,000 in the reserve contingencies fund and providing funding to the event would have to be a grant. Mr. Harris asked what happened to the 60-day rule for applications. Mr. O’Byrne replied that is why the grant is being requested because the event did not fit into this 60-day timeframe. Mr. Harris termed this a slippery slope. Mr. Boyles pointed out the Board has been back and forth a lot on establishing procedures and Mr. O’Byrne is struggling to find his footing. He said “It has been difficult to figure out where we are going.” Mr. Parisot asked if contact had been made with Tom Brokaw or Bill O’Reilly to cover the event. Mr. O’Byrne stated Fox has confirmed. He said they have reached out to Mr. Brokaw but dubbed that to be problematic. However, he said they are still working with three other networks but they all want to have the exclusive. April 2, 2013 -5- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Harris again referred to the 60-day rule and said the point is to get “heads in beds.” Mr. O’Byrne replied this is an offensive move. He explained that the February figures are disappointing and there is a need to be aggressive. Mrs. Kathy Newby, Public Information Officer, said she would like to remind the Board Florida celebrates its 500th birthday this year and this could be another venue to promote our area. Mr. Amunds asked if this request has gone through legal. Mr. O’Byrne answered he and the attorneys have discussed it. Mr. Greg Stewart, acting Interim TDC Attorney (and special counsel with Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson) stated this is part of a promotional plan to be able to reach out to groups to come here. He said it is speculative on how many people will attend. Mr. Stewart advised that as far as the law goes, it is a legitimate expenditure. Mr. Amunds called the Policies & Procedures a living document and said the Board has the authority to approve the request. Mr. Stewart stated the Board has the authority to create a special exception scenario. Mr. Harris said he believes the Airports Department will also benefit. Interim Airports Director Dino Villani commented this will produce exposure for the Fixed Base Operator (FBO). He said Airports will be providing security for the B-25s. Mr. Harris asked if this has a value of $5,000 to the Airports. Mr. Villani replied that he has spoken with staff and they believe it is. Upon inquiry about videos of the event, Mr. Corcoran stated there will be two videos--Mr. O’Byrne’s staff will make one and the Chamber will also make one. He advised the County’s TDD logo will be prominent in the Chamber’s video. Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Windes, to approve the one-time only grant funding as outlined in the Chamber’s request. 5 yeas. VISITOR – KAY RASMUSSEN, EDC, REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER TAX ABATEMENT FOR PROJECT TALKING PARENTS Ms. Kay Rasmussen, Interim President of the Economic Development Council (EDC), presented a request for an information technology company desiring to expand and stay in Fort Walton Beach to be April 2, 2013 -6- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners considered for the Tax Abatement Program. The company is identified as “Project Talking Parents” and currently employs 30 people with plans to add 20 more. She reported the company does meet the threshold for target industry with an average wage of $56,500 or 159% of the average wage in Okaloosa County. Ms. Rasmussen stated the State is offering a bonus to the company because the wage is higher and will offer a faster rate of return. She requested authorization to advertise for a public hearing on April 16 for the Board to consider an Ad Valorem Tax Exemption for Project Talking Parent. Mr. Harris made motion, seconded by Mr. Parisot, to authorize advertising for public hearing. 5 yeas. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL Mr. Harris made motion, seconded by Mr. Boyles, to approve the Consent Agenda: 1. Corrections: Renewal of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commodities Program Grant for School Year 2013-14 2. Proclamation designating May 19-25, 2013 as Emergency Services Week 3. Proclamation designating April 17-20, 2013 as Doolittle Raider Days in Okaloosa County 4. Request from Surfside Beach Services for Qualified Beach Vendor Certificate for calendar year 2013 5. Request