Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 08-01-06 special minutes — reading text

265 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 1, 2006 INTRODUCTION A special meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was held on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 at 5: 30 p. m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, with the following present: Mayor Mike Anderson Councilmen: Mike Holmes, Bob Campbell, Jim Tucker, Dr. Wayne Pullen, Jim Hartwell, and Mike Minich Absent: Bill Patterson Also Present: Joyce Shanahan, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Finance Director ( position vacant); Toni Craig, City Attorney; and Department Directors CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting to order. PLEDGE The Mayor led in the Pledge of Allegiance. TENTATIVE AD VALOREM MILLAGE RATE Consideration of setting the tentative ad valorem millage rate for FY 2006- 07. The City Manager noted once the tentative millage rate is set Council can go below the rate at any time but cannot go above it without the additional expense of formal notification to each city taxpayer. She stated staff proposes the tentative millage rate be set at 4. 97. She mentioned that the County set their proposed millage rate at 3. 95 mills. Mr. Tucker moved to set the FY 2006- 07 tentative millage rate for ad Valorem taxes at 4. 97 mills. Mr. Campbell seconded motion. The City Manager noted that tonight Council is setting the tentative millage rate and there will be two other opportunities to set the actual millage rate. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor (Patterson absent). Mr. Holmes moved to confirm the dates and times of the public hearings for the budget as follows: Special Council meetings on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 at 5: 30 p. m. and Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 5: 30 p. m. Mr. Minich seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor ( Patterson absent). RES. 06- 21: SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM The Mayor read the resolution by title. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH SUPPORTING THE CONTINUATION OF THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER (SRO) PROGRAM ESTABLISHED AT THE FORT WALTON BEACH AND CHOCTAWHATCHEE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS; AND URGING THE OKALOOSA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD AND SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT TO CONTINUE ITS COOPERATION AND JOINT FUNDING ARRANGEMENT FOR CONTINUATION OF THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 266 Special Council 8- 1- 06 RES. 06-21 cont. Mr. Holmes moved to approve Res. 06- 21. Mr. Tucker seconded motion and It carried unanimously with Holmes, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor (Patterson absent). FAIRGROUNDS Mr. Tucker mentioned a telephone call from Bull Rigdon and stated he asked Mr. Rigdon to come before Council to talk about the fairgrounds scheduled events. Mr. Tucker relayed that Mr. Rigdon, Jr. will ask Council to give an extension to the 180 days to perhaps March 2007, which is how long they have contracted for events. He stated he is prepared to sell a certain amount of the to the property fairgrounds. He said he would like the fairgrounds to stay but not at the taxpayers expense, and for about $ 1. 3 million the fairgrounds cay buy six acres. The Mayor commented that Council may have the cart before the horse since it is not known what the consultant will suggest on the use of the fairgrounds property. Dr. Pullen agreed the citizens should not have to support the Fair Association, and suggested Council explore all avenues and to move cautiously. He stated it was his impression that when the City purchased the property it was not to re- sell but to use it for the benefit of the citizens. Further discussion included the abandonment plan that is yet to be received from the Fairgrounds, whether the Fair Association can own property, and the number of emails received on the issue of the fairgrounds lease. STORMWATER AND POLLUTION IN THE SOUND AND BAY WATERS Mr. Tucker brought up the issue of storm water and in the pollution and sound bay waters. He discussed the problem with pollution in the waters that need to be addressed and hoped the citizens would be encouraged to vote in favor of the one cent sales tax. Dr. Pullen mentioned the EDC meeting where he made the comment that if the one cent sales tax did not pass, the City may consider a storm water utility. Millie Thrush, 316 Sudduth Circle, expressed concern on the amount of lawn debris that is blown into the stormwater and the number of people who drain their pools into the street where the water collects and draws mosquitoes. WORKSHOP The City Manager noted even though there are no topics for the agenda, Council will have a workshop meeting on Tuesday, August 8th at 5: 30 p. m. BUDGET MEETINGS The City Manager received Council' s preference that the EDC and Chamber of Commerce be asked to give their budget presentation at the meetingon Tuesday, August15th. USED POLICE CARS The City Manager mentioned an opportunity to bid on used police cars from Panama City and stated because it would be next years funds, she would need Council permission to make a bid. Mr. Minich moved to grant permission to the City Manager to bid on the used police cars from Panama City. Mr. Campbell seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor (Patterson absent).