Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 04-26-13-special--strategic plan — reading text

quality of life issue was an alternative bridge to the island in the wake of recent damage to Brooks Bridge and resulting traffic issues. Council took the position that a bridge from Wright Parkway is the best option. Direction of Council was to obtain an analysis from the Bridge Authority that has been completed and evaluate it for future discussion. Governmental Efficiency and Productivity—Discussion included the need to compensate City employees and bring them to the level of pay they were making in 2008. It was noted that increases in insurance and other expenses decreases an employee's pay and Council stressed the need to take care of the City's employees or the City will lose talented people to the improving private sector. The City Manager advised a pay and classification study is being planned in order for wages to be comparable to today' s pay standards. Also discussed was for the City Manager to start discussions with the county regarding expansion of services throughout the entire south county. Alternative Revenues and Cost Reduction - -The issue ofrecycling will be re- addressed including providing costs and introducing a pilot program for recycling. A Fire Assessment fee was discussed and the City Attorney advised school boards are exempt by the State from certain fees. Direction from Council was for Staff to investigate how this type of fee would be assessed against schools and to discuss the legal issues regarding assessments at a future workshop. Consensus of Council was to take no action on the Local Option Gas Tax until they receive a plan from the county, and to take no action regarding franchise fees. Clry Camcd ofFort Wa0on Beach Page 4 Printed 4/ 30/20/ 3  1• Special Meeting Minutes April 26, 2013 The City will continue to work with NBI regarding a comprehensive analysis of city property that can be sold and will investigate the possibility of hiring a grant firm to work on a contingency basis. Facilitative Policv Leadership --Discussion included the role and responsibility of elected officials in their dealings with each other and with City Staff and the procedure for consent agendas. An updated Rules and Policies Procedures guide will be developed. Traditional Revenue Sources —Discussion ensued regarding the baseline and sustainable budgets being developed by Staff. The City Manager advised that his recommendation during the budget meeting on June 4 will be the sustainable budget as this is what the City needs to operate. Direction from Council was to develop a sound budget with options to generate the necessary revenue to support the total cost. The City Manager reviewed the actions that were discussed at the meeting: 1) Marketing/ Branding-- City will collaborate with the Chamber on branding ideas 2) Strengthening Business Encouraging Efforts- -City will set up meetings with development and industry partners on ways to improve the development process and develop tax incentive programs. 3) Expansion of Services- -the City will evaluate costs of services for adjacent communities. a) Fire - t-he City will look at the costs and benefits of mutual aid agreements and the cost for the fire department to be independent; b) Police - -the City will schedule a meeting with the sheriff and with representatives of Mary Esther and Cinco Bayou regarding expansion of services; c) Sanitation - t-he City will prepare Requests for Proposals for the expansion of services to neighboring communities. 4) Charter Change --Council took no action regarding changes to the Charter. 5) Quality of Life —the City will contact a consultant and continue to work with the Chamber on the issue of vagrancy; look into the possibility of expanding the CRA; explore opportunities around the waterfront; and obtain the report from the Bridge Authority and prepare a summary for Council. 6) Governmental Efficiency and Productivity-- the City will develop an employee compensation plan for the upcoming budget and look into having an updated pay and classification study done. 7) Alternative Revenues and Cost Reduction - t-he City will evaluate the cost to introduce a pilot program for residential recycling; b) Fire assessment- -the City will look at other assessment areas around the state; 3) Property sales - -the City will continue to work with NBI on selling city - owned properties; d) Grants- -the City will investigate grant writing firms to work on a contingency basis; e) Bridge Authority - City - will contact the Northwest Florida Corridor Transportation Authority for their stand on an alternative bridge. There was no action taken by Council in regards to franchise fees and no opinion of the gas tax. Cary Co I of Fort UWon Beach Page 5 Yrueted 4/ 302073  N Minutes 2013 Council and the Department Directors agreed that today's meeting was productive. Everyone enjoyed the informality and appreciated the open dialogue among everyone. ADJOURNMENT: 12: 50 pm Approved: / Mayor: / Att— as City Clerk / City Council oJFort {Vahan Beach Page 6 yrinted 41302013  211 O- 212 b