Okaloosa County BOCC — April 15, 2014 — Minutes — reading text

$40,000 and we could get it for $15,000. He also commented provision was made for this type situation in the revised marketing plan. Mr. Pari sot asked if the TDC reviews every line item of the marketing plan or approves it as a large package. Mr. Schroeder replied it is presented in detail and approved as a package. Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Amunds, to approve participation in the Florida State Parks Pocket Ranger app. 4 yeas, 1 nay. (Mr. Boyles voted no.) TOURIST DEVELOPMENT - ADVERTISE PUBLIC HEARING TO REPEAL BEACH RESTORATION MSBU Mr. Schroeder requested approval to advertise for a public hearing to repeal the Beach Restoration Municipal Services Benefit Unit (MSBU) . He said staff has worked with First Southwest (financial consultant) and the legal team to determine the willingness of Hancock Bank to release the pledge of the special assessment. (The MSBU assessments and first penny of the Tourist Development Tax were pledged for the repayment of the bank note.) Mr. Schroeder advised a letter has been received from Hancock Bank relinquishing its rights to the pledge of the "Special Assessment Revenues." He asked for authorization for staff to advertise for public hearing to repeal Ordinance No. 07 - 57 which established this MSBU. Mr. Amunds stated this has been a heated issue for a long time. He noted the Board previously discussed sunsetting the assessment before the requisite eight years, if possible. Upon inquiry by Mr. Amunds, Mr. Dowd confirmed this to be true. Mr. Harris asked who directed staff to research this item. Mr. Schroeder replied "a county commissioner." Mr. Boyles pointed out that was in an open meeting. Mr. Harris asked if the residents of Holiday Isle have been notified of this proposal. Mr. Schroeder answered that he has not notified them. Mr. Dowd said the hearing will be advertised. Mr. Windes stated when he ran for the office of county commissioner one of the planks in his campaign was abolishing this assessment. Upon inquiry by Mr. Windes, Mr. Schroeder said the proposal will be taken before the TDC on March 27. Mr. Parisot commented he brought up this proposal previously and it was decided last fall to bring the issue back up in the spring. He said although he was not a commissioner at the time March 18, 2014 - 11 - Minute Book 70, Page 292 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners the ordinance was adopted, he recalls the discussion was to first use state funds; secondly, to use bed tax dollars; and lastly, to use the MSBU assessment revenues. Mr. Pari sot said he supports this measure but there are other issues to be discussed. He stated in January 2012 the Board rescinded the assessment for Okaloosa Island and refunded monies. Mr. Parisot said he feels the Board should address the issue of refunding all or a portion of the MSBU funds. He then gave a history of the MSBU boundaries. Mr. Amunds referred to his conversation with the condo alliance when he originally brought this item forward for discussion. He said he supports stopping the assessment but not a big push to give the money back. Mr. Boyles asked how this concept is different from the MSBU policy for paving private roads the county recently adopted. He said citizens must pitch in. Mr. Amunds said he believes eventually bed taxes could be set aside strictly for beach restoration. He also believed the federal government will allocate money for dredging the East Pass. Mr. Amunds noted when the discussion took place for beach restoration, the county had gone through a hurricane and implementing the MSBU for beach restoration was the only way to go. He reiterated his desire to sunset the assessment. Mr. Parisot stated a full penny of tourist development tax was carved out for beach restoration at the same time the MSBU was established. He said the MSBU was set up because there was no funding source for the bonds. Mr. Boyles stated this information is helpful and asked if there is a way to continue with the dedication of that penny for beach restoration, to accrue those revenues into a reserve account so we don't have to scramble quickly if there is an extreme weather event. Mr. Schroeder replied there is no limitation, advising there is currently $6.2 Million in this reserve. He said he has been reminded by Jim Trifilio, Coastal Management Coordinator, the cost to restore Okaloosa Island beaches was $12 Million. Mr. Boyles asked what is the average assessment for a condo unit owner. Mr. Amunds replied that he believes it is about $130 annually. Mr. Boyles repeated the cost for living on the beach is $130 a year. Mr. Amunds made motion, seconded by Mr. Pari sot, to authorize staff to move forward with drafting an ordinance to abolish the March 18, 2014 - 12 - Minute Book 70, Page 293 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Beach Restoration MSBU and to authorize advertising same for public hearing. 4 yeas, 1 nay. (Mr. Boyles voted no.) PUBLIC SAFETY - E 9 - 1 - 1 EQUIPMENT HARDWARE REFRESH AND UPGRADES Mr. Dino Villani, Public Safety Director, requested approval to purchase E 9 - 1 - 1 hardware equipment and software upgrades for the Public Safety Answering Points. The cost of the purchase is $615,116.48 and would be paid with E 9 - 1 - 1 Reserve funds. This is a sole source purchase due to the fact Century Link currently holds the E 9-1 - 1 maintenance contract and is the only vendor who could meet required repair times in instances of critical outages or failures. Mr. Pari sot made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to approve the purchase as outlined by the department head . 5 yeas. AIRPORTS AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE RFQ FOR AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE SERVICES Mr. Sunil Harman, Airports Director, requested approval to advertise for Request for Proposals (RFP) to provide aircraft maintenance services at the Northwest Florida Regional Airport. He also requested the following individuals be appointed to the review commit tee: Tracy Stage, Airport Deputy Director; Terry Mace, Airports Maintenance Foreman; David Miner, Airports Properties and Leases; and Jack Allen, Purchasing Services Manager. Mr. Boyles stated recently he has sat on some review committees and found that having individuals from outside the affected department provides a different, beneficial perspective. He suggested this be considered for formation of future committees. Upon inquiry by Mr. Pari sot, Mr. Harman stated currently the work was being done by an entity the airlines worked with but that company has left. Mr. Parisot commented that he will be glad to sit on this selection committee. Mr. Boyles made motion, seconded by Mr. Parisot to authorize the department to advertise the RFP for aircraft maintenance services and to appoint the review committee as outlined above, adding Commissioner Parisot to the review committee. 5 yeas. March 18, 2014 - 13 - Minute Book 7 0, Page 294 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners PUBLIC WORKS - SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT REQUESTED FOR SEADOO BOATING SAFETY EVENT Mr. John Hofstad, Public Works Director, stated WaterTop Unlimited is requesting use of a county beach area adjacent to Ross Marler Park for a SeaDoo boating safety event. The event is to be held May 2 through 4, 2014 with an anticipated attendance of 40 to 50 people per day. He advised the request has been reviewed by the appropriate agencies and found to be in compliance. Mr. Harris made motion, seconded by Mr. Arnunds, to approve the special event permit as presented. 5 yeas. PUBLIC WORKS FWC 2014 - 15 ARTIFICIAL REEF CONSTRUCTION GRANT APPLICATION Mr. Hofstad requested approval for the Chairman to execute the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) 2014-15 Artificial Reef Construction Grant application. The grant would be used to deploy donated materials to populate four reefs in state waters. He reported the county has received permits from the state and the Corps of Engineers. Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to authorize the Chairman to execute this grant application. 5 yeas. PUBLIC WORKS - CONTRACT RENEWAL AND AMENDMENT WITH DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR INMATE WORK CREW SUPERVISOR Mr. Hofstad stated this is a contract renewal (and amendment #1) with the Department of Corrections to provide an officer to supervise an inmate work crew for the next year. Mr. Harris made motion, seconded by Mr. Parisot, to approve the document and to authorize the Chairman to execute same. 5 yeas. INFORMATION SYSTEMS - FIBER OPTIC PRESENTATION Mr. Don Vanderhoek, Information Systems Director, and Mr. Dan Sarnbenedetto, Manager of the Geographic Information System (GIS) Division, carne forward to give the Board an overview of the Fiber Optic Telecommunications Project. Mr. Vanderhoek provided historic information on the implementation of the fiber optic network in 2001, telling not only why the county created the network but describing its strategic components and outlining how the county continues to leverage, maintain and sustain the network. March 18, 2014 -14- Minute Book 70, Page 295 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Vanderhoek stated the necessity to increase bandwidth for increasing telephone and data communication needs was the impetus for the Fiber Optic Network. The county, by statutory and constitutional requirements, must pay for communications for court-related entities. He said the Fiber Optic Network was a strategic investment to save money, increase the level of service, and meet future needs. Mr. Vanderhoek's presentation explained bandwidths and the savings realized on telephone and data services. He stated this Fiber Optic Network is a county-owned and operated utility. Mr. Vanderhoek provided a map showing the existing and planned fiber routes. He detailed operation of the North and South Head End Facilities and how data traffic is beamed across the backbone fiber to its destination. Mr. Sambenedetto described how the Fiber Optic Network is maintained, stressing the importance of protecting and maintaining this utility. He said because the fiber is in the right - of -way, utility locates are a big part of what they do. Mr. Sambenedetto stated the GIS staff provides positive response on every Sunshine One Call ticket. Highly accurate network maps are maintained which is critical to accurately and timely utility locates, save time in network re - routing if required due to outage, and assists in plan review and design. Mr. Sambenedetto reviewed the importance of accurate splice diagrams when the fiber is damaged. He also cited examples of repair costs when the fiber is pinched or cut by contractors during ro~d construction. Continuing, Mr. Sambenedetto listed benefits from the investment in the Fiber Optic Network: • Significant cost savings on reoccurring data and communication charges • Dramatically increased bandwidths at a much lower cost • Brought on Constitutional Officers and others to help reduce BCC costs • Brought on partners to help offset the infrastructure and maintenance costs • Allows room to expand by utilizing additional fiber available on existing routes He also named potential partners, as well as providing an extensive list of current fiber optic - related projects. March 18, 2014 -15 - Minute Book 70, Page 296 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners RECESS - The meeting was recessed at 10:33 a.m. and reconvened at 10:45 a.m. Mr. Vanderhoek spoke about extending the utility to various education entities and outlined what the School