Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 08-08-07 special minutes — reading text

8- 07 57 FIRE DEPARTMENT Review of the Fire Department budget included assurance from the Fire Chief that the safety of the firefighters will not be impacted by the deletion of the ventilator for rescue, the hard suction hose, the scuba equipment, repairs to Flashy the Fire dog, or the truck to replace the sedan. The Fire Chief mentioned that the Union is moving forward with the consolidation study and there may be a request for a workshop on a fire assessment as a way to bring in funding for the fire department. Millie Thrush, 316 Sudduth Circle, requested when it comes time to consider consolidation that it be given a lot of time for discussion with the public. Mr. Minich moved to accept the Fire Department budget as presented. Mr. Miller seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. The City Manager mentioned when Union negotiations are started staffwill come back with an amendment to the budget. PARKS AND RECREATION Review of the Parks & Recreation budget included the reduction in costs for janitor services, tennis center operations contractor, tennis center grounds maintenance, kid' s day from 2 to 1 event, and Sunday in the Park reduced to 1 event, reduced book purchase for the library, and the reduced inventory for the museum; expenses for the employee picnic, Christmas parade; and the capital outlay expenses for the auditorium roof repair, three mowers, safety netting, and fire alarm wiring at the museum. During some discussion the idea of a Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee was mentioned, the internet fees paid for by the Library Co- Op, the reduced amount for the purchase of books, and the deletion of the automatic doors at the Senior Center. Glenda Glover, 115 Waynel Circle, asked Council not to consider a cooperative parks & recreation agreement with the County as she felt the County would not pay their fair share. She addressed the idea of another advisory committee and commented that the employees are overrun with attending the current committees. She wished to know how the City assists the BMX track. The Parks & Recreation Director explained the City provides the BMX track with $ 2, 000 a year for upgrades, $ 2, 000 for insurance, and $ 6, 500 to supplement operations. Ms. Glover expressed a desire for the City to help the golf course and the quality of life for people who play golf. Dr. Pullen moved to increase funding for the library by $ 10, 000 for publications and materials. Motion died for lack of a second. Mr. Hartwell moved to accept the Parks & Recreation budgets and add $ 3, 200 for automatic doors at the Senior Center and add $ 10, 000 for publications and materials for the Library.Dr. Pullen seconded motion and it carried by a vote of 4 to 3 with Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor and Holmes, Miller and Reeves opposed. 58 Special Council Meeting 8- 8- 07 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Review of the IT budget included the communication services for internet, in- house equipment repair, and computer training. The question on the status of enhancing E- Government was raised. The City Manager mentioned that the scope was narrowed to the Charter Officers to have lap tops at the meetings and the City Attorney and the City Manager have a lap top and it is planned for the Finance Director to get a lap top. She ~, stated the City already offers a number of internet services from paying utility bills on line to printing out a map, and there is internet access in the Council Chambers. The IT Director mentioned that an item will be brought before Council on Monday with a request for a continuation to waive the bid process for FY 2007/ 08 for computer related purchases as has been done by Council since FY 1998/ 99. He explained because computer prices change so quickly it will allow them to get a written request for a quote from five vendors and lock in the price before it goes up. Mr. Miller moved to accept the Information Technology budget as presented. Mr. Hartwell seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. PARKS & RECREATION Mr. Minich moved to reconsider the budget for the Parks & Recreation Department. Mr. Reeves seconded motion and it carried by a vote of 4 to 3 with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, and Minich in favor and Garvie, Pullen, and Hartwell opposed. Mr. Minich moved to accept the Parks & Recreation budget as presented and add $ 3, 200 for automatic doors at the Senior Center. Mr. Reeves seconded motion. Discussion included the desire expressed that the $ 10, 000 for books at the library be added to the budget. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it failed by a vote of 3 to 4 with Holmes, Reeves, and Minich in favor and Miller, Garvie, Pullen, and Hartwell opposed. Mr. Minich moved to accept the Parks & Recreation budget as presented. Mr. Holmes seconded motion and it carried by a vote of 4 to 3 with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, and Minich in favor and Garvie, Pullen, and Hartwell opposed. RECESS The meeting recessed for the evening at 9: 35 p. m. to continue on Thursday, August 9 at f' Wl' i:tti< 5: 30 p. m. APPROVED~~, ~ 1 MAYOR: ATTEST: C.~ CITY CLERK ddm