Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 09-11-07 workshop minutes — reading text

129 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 INTRODUCTION A Council Workshop Meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was held on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at 5: 30 p. m. wth the following members present: Mayor Mike Anderson Councilmen: Mike Holmes, Virgil Miller, Dennis Reeves, Bill Garvie, Dr. Wayne Pullen, Jim Hartwell, and Mike Minich Also Present: Joyce Shanahan, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Lisa Absher, Finance Director; Toni Craig, City Attomey; and Department Directors CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting to order. MOMENT OF SILENCE The Mayor asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of the events of September 11 , 2001, and in honor of those who continue to fight to serve and protect us. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Mayor led in the Pledge of Allegiance. WORKSHOP AGENDA Presentation by Geographic Technologies Group on GIS Needs Assessment. John Hofstad, Utilities Director, explained that due to recent catastrophes that have occurred in the Gulf Coast area, it was determined that developing a Geographic Information System ( GIS) Asset Management system for underground infrastructure was a high priority item. A GIS program provides the necessary information to identify and prioritize capital improvement projects and to streamline numerous business processes within the City. Mr. Hofstad continued that with the GIS program, a Citywide map of the water, wastewater, and stormwater system will be developed containing all the required asset information, including pipe size and material, condition, etc. Mr. Hofstad advised that RFP' s for engineering/ consulting services for GIS needs were advertised, with Geographic Technologies Group ( GTG) being the top- ranked firm. He introduced a GTG representative to give an overall presentation of the program. David Holdstock, CEO of GTG, discussed the GIS Needs Assessment Phase, which includes project goals and objectives; interviews with City departments; evaluation of existing City conditions; data and databases; and task deliverables; and the system Design Phase, which includes management strategy; system architectural design, to include networking, hardware and software; and data conversion, data creation and data; and the Strategic Implementation Plan, which will be phased over five years. When questioned about the cost to bring the City in line with a GIS System, Mr. Holdstock stated it may be prudent to wait until the next phase is completed; however, he advised that Utilities/ Public Works will entail a lot of the detail and expense of the project, and that probably 60% to 70% of the total budget could be tied into utilities. The Finance Director informed that the current contract approved includes a Needs Assessment and Implementation Plan, as well as a pilot project for the Brooks Street area that includes utilities mapping.  Council Workshop 09- 11- 07 130 GIS ASSESSMENT NEEDS ( CONTI The City Manager advised this item was presented for Council' s information and update and no action was required. She also advised that a GIS Needs Assessment Questionnaire is included in theirpacket and iftheyfeel inclined to complete it, Mr. Hofstad can provide contact information if they have additional questions. LAMAR SIGNS-MODIFY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT DISCUSSION Discussion to determine if there is an interest to modify the Settlement Agreement with Lamar Signs. 20, Missy McKim, CDS Director, advised that at the Strategic Planning Session held on January iii'' 2007, Council requested that the signage and billboard ordinance be readdressed to include the ones revisiting the billboard issue, reducing the number of billboards, and/ or allowing the 1980' s, remaining to be upgraded. She explained that the ordinance, which was adopted in states that all billboards are nonconforming, and that amortization was required after five years and extended twice. Ms. McKim continued that in 2000 the Code required all signs to be amortized and a new sign code was adopted, and all signs were amortized except those approved for billboards or landmark signs. Ms. McKim informed that most of the remaining signs are in the CRA area and will most likely be removed when redevelopment occurs. A lawsuit was by Lamar after receiving notices of violations for not removing their filed Aid nonconforming signs. The Settlement Agreement with Lamar left eight billboards on Federal Primary roadways, with one being removed due to redevelopment, leaving seven remaining billboards. It was noted that on October 30, 2006, Council directed staff to move forward to work out an to 4. The City agreement for Modification to the Settlement Agreement, and it failed by a vote of 3 held in Manager stated it was her understanding that during the Strategic Planning Session with January of 2007, Council directed staff to revisit the issue, and Staff has been in discussions Lamar to see if an could be reached when and if Council wished to amend the agreement settlement agreement. Areas looked at for the placement of signs that would be less objectionable included both ends of Highway 98 by Brooks Bridge and the area of the potential Wal- Mart. As of this time, an agreement on where a third billboard would be placed in the City could not be agreed on. Mr. Hartwell disclosed that he spoke with Joe Raines of Lamar Signs on this subject last evening. Mr. GaNie disclosed he spoke with Mr. Raines as well. Dr. Pullen disclosed he also had spoken ~ th Mr. Raines last October. Mr. Minich moved to suspend Roberts Rules of Order for the remainder of this item so Council can state their opinion without a motion. Mr. Garvie seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell and Minich in favor. The City Attomey clarified that this issue deals with a litigation settlement agreement and the modification of the Agreement, not the code itself, and questions need to be focused on the settlement agreement and modifying terms of the agreement. She continued if Council decides to move into the modification of the Settlement Agreement, it will be back in the litigation process as that is the only process to do so. Council Workshop 09- 11- 07 131 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT- LAMAR SIGNS CCONT) Discussion included that the code can be modified; that the verbiage ' to maintain' in Item 4 of the Settlement Agreement does not mean that a billboard can be replaced, nor is it further defined to mean a billboard can be replaced; and that the new 'TV type' billboards would be the replacement for the old billboards. Council discussion included the fact that modification of the Settlement Agreement was voted on last year and failed and that vote should be honored and not be brought back for discussion; that the City is redeveloping the downtown area and that the City should continue the 'facelift' with the new technology being developed; that the direction of the City is changing for the good and that old- fashioned billboards would not fit in with the modernization of the City; and that the proposal by Lamar sounds like it would be beneficial to the City. The Mayor noted there appeared to be a consensus of Council to modify the settlement agreement with Lamar. Joe Raines, Vice- President and General Manager of Lamar Advertising, advised that all seven of the old billboards would come down and is asking that three be replaced, and that he is working with Staff to determine those locations. Mr. Raines further advised that Lamar has volunteered to donate to the City a spot on each of the billboards for City promotions, which is a value of $ 1 , 000 per month per board, or $24, 000 worth of advertising per year. He also informed that all boards are on a network for such things as Amber alerts, surf, and hurricane warnings. The City Manager advised she understood Council' s direction, and she will work with the City Attomey on the process of how to bring the issue back, whether as an agenda item or an Executive Session. The Mayor asked for public input. Millie Thrush, Sudduth Circle, stated her opposition to billboards as not being beneficial to the City. There was no further input from the public on this item. GREAT NEIGHBORHOODS PROGRAM Discussion regarding status of the Great Neighborhoods Program. Ms. McKim advised the City' s Great Neighborhoods Program is being revamped due to the loss of the Neighborhood Coordinator dedicated to the program, and existing staff will be utilized. She advised that next month the first City-wide Neighborhood Committee Meeting will be held with each neighborhood being asked to appoint one representative and two alternates to ensure each neighborhood is always represented on the Committee. These Committee meetings will meet on the second Thursday of each month at the Senior Center, then the representatives will report back to their respective neighborhood meetings on their regularly scheduled meeting dates. Ms. McKim advised it is the intent of this new format to make the neighborhoods more independent, and she will give Council a status report in January of 2008 of the Neighborhood Program to determine if the new format is successful or not. Council comments included not having neighborhood meetings scheduled on Council meeting nights; that Council will be updated on a monthly basis of neighborhood concerns; that Council should take an interest and attend the neighborhood meetings; and that these meetings are an excellent way for the residents to make their concerns known.