Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 06-22-2010 Regular — reading text

eliminating the Battalion Chief position will affect their service in Midway. He mentioned Midway saved money a few years ago by eliminating position and they are paying for it now as workman' s comp went up, response times went down and the work load and over time increased. Shannon Stone, Battalion Chief, expressed his belief there has been a breakdown in communication between the union and management; distributed a one -page handout on the duties and functions of Battalion Chiefs that will have to be absorbed by the Captains; mentioned they are trying to finish the final phases of the consolidation study; and asked Council consider all aspects of eliminating the positions. Dan Corrigan, 116 Berger Place NE, urged Council to visit the fire station before making a decision. Scott Mayville, 106 Oak Terrace Drive, Crestview, stated he felt comfortable in his job as a driver but he would not feel comfortable with the responsibility of a Battalion Chief. Tom Corrigan suggested the insurance agencies be contacted to determine how the insurance rates will increase. Bill Garvie, 315 Shell Avenue, mentioned during his experience as a Senior Executive with the FBI he found that the younger people relied on the experience of the older people. He discussed a disastrous fire he experienced at his property and said they are worth more than $ 407,000 and would hate to think the City would cut that service. Patrick Boretsky, 604 Manor Court, mentioned the fire department was the first to reach his home when he suffered kidney failure in 2005 and believed if they had not gotten there he would not be alive today. He said the fire fighters look up to the Battalion Chief to know what to do. He expressed his hope that the City would not cut any Battalion Chief positions. Council Meeting, June 22, 2010  Special Council meeting 6 -1 - 10 Public Safety —Battalion Chiefs cont. Joan White, 39 Ferry Road, expressed that the Battalion Chiefs are the plans of the operation. Robert Hull, 345 Shannon Court and Fort Walton Beach Police Officer, expressed his willingness to pay more in property taxes. Chris Gibson, 249 Brooks Street, first protested being sent to sit in the auditorium instead of being allowed to sit in the Council Chambers in her wheelchair and suggested Council move to the auditorium when a large crowd is expected. She then expressed her belief that the City gives away too many services and suggested that the Okaloosa County League of Cities demand the County start paying their share for the services they receive free of charge. She said the City should not do away with the Battalion Chief positions and expressed her willingness to pay more taxes for fire service. Larry DiAmco, 6612 Redfield Street, Navarre, President of Fort Walton Beach Professional Firefighters, expressed his belief there is a fundamental problem between the Association, management, and Council. He asked Council not to eliminate the Battalion Chief positions. He said the driver can make a split second decision if necessary but they need the Battalion Chiefs. He expressed the desire to sit down to discuss a solution as he was unaware the Battalion Chief Position was going to be on the agenda until 5: 00 p.m. on Friday Memorial Day weekend. He stated if they remove those positions they will be at risk. It was commented the Fire Department has not given up their fair share and questioned what the City can expect from the Fire Department to help with the $ 1. 7M problem. Mr. DiAmco stated the fire fighters have allowed him to say they are not looking for any increases and would like to be more involved in the discussions with management to find a solution. The City Manager stated it is estimated the roll forward rate to be between 4.8 and 4. 9 to generate the same amount of revenue. Chief Dutton clarified when they talk at the monthly staff meetings they discuss ways to save money and he thought what the Association is alluding to is more along the lines of contract negotiations. As there was no one further who wished to speak public input was closed. RECESS The meeting recessed at 7:48 p. m. RECONVENE The meeting reconvened at 8: 00 p.m. Doug Reed, 822 Santa Rosa Court, commented at least half of the ad valorem taxes come from the commercial district and they understand it takes money to run a community. He suggested the City consider using the roll forward rate so they can move forward with more pressing issues. Ouality of Life —Outside Agency Funding Policy Decision: Should the City discontinue cash contribution to The Advocacy Group, the Chamber, and the EDC. The presentation included information that in FY 09 -10 the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society ( PAWS) received $ 87, 787 for animal control services; The Advocacy group received $ 40,000 to provide legislative support on behalf of the City at the State level; the Chamber of Commerce received $ 16, 000 from the General Fund and $ 15, 000 from the CRA to provide promotional material and information to people moving to the area; and the Economic Development Council ( EDC) received $ 16, 000 to promote businesses and economics in the area; that PAWS has submitted a contract for the same amount as the current year for FY 10 -11; that the Mayor travels frequently to Tallahassee, has several contacts there, and can lobby for the City; and that the City Manager' s request for information from the EDC has been unanswered. Council Meeting, June 22, 2010  Special Council meeting 6 -1 - 10 Quality of Life —Outside Agency Funding Discussion included clarification that the Chamber is now billed for in -kind services provided for the Billy Bowlegs and Dog Daze events; and the cost versus benefit of utilizing The Advocacy Group for legislative support. The Mayor opened the floor for public comment. Jenna Caldwell, speaking on behalf of the Chamber, discussed how the mission of the Chamber is to support the businesses. As no one else wished to speak public comment was closed. Mr. Minich moved to fund PAWS at the proposed contract price of $87,787; discontinue the $ 40,000 to The Advocacy Group for legislative support; fund the Chamber of Commerce $ 20,000 through CRA funds; and discontinue the $ 16,000 to the EDC. Mr. Holmes seconded the motion and it carried by a vote of 5 to 2 with Holmes, gossom, Minich, Nabors, and Patterson in favor and Reeves and Rynearson opposed. Quality of Life —Tennis Center Policy Decision: Should the City discontinue tennis center operating subsidy. The presentation included information that the City contracted Municipal Tennis Center operations to Erik Stenberg in October 2002 and the current three -year agreement expires September 30, 2010; that the City spent $ 31, 811 for tennis center operations in FY 2008 -09 excluding building and grounds maintenance; the City has not received a portion of gross revenues as the Contractor has not exceeded the $ 50K base revenue; and the millage required to sustain $ 32K for the tennis center is 0.0294 mills. Council received clarification that at the end of the agreement the City can open up the tennis center operations for competitive bid, and that the City would still own the property but lease it out. The Mayor opened the floor for public comment. As no one wished to speak public comment was closed. Mr. Nabors moved not to renew the current tennis center contract and to submit an RFP for tennis center operations. Ms. gossom seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, gossom, Reeves, Minich, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. Quality of Life —BMX Park Policy Decision: Should the City discontinue BMX park operating subsidy. The presentation included information that the City contracted BMX Park operations to Bill Madden in October 2007 and the current three -year agreement expires September 30, 2010; that the City spent $ 8, 590 for BMX complex operations in FY 2008 -09; that all revenues, including daily fees and clinic fees generated from the operation and management of the BMX/skateboard complex, are retained by the Contractor; and the millage required to sustain $ 14K for the BMX park is 0.0125 mills. The Mayor opened the floor for public comment. As no one wished to speak public comment was closed. Mr. Nabors moved not to renew the BMX contract and to submit an RFP to operate and maintain the BMX complex. Ms. gossom seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, gossom, Reeves, Minich, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. Council Meeting, June 22, 2010  Special Council meeting 6 -1 - 10 Quality of Life —Right -of -Way Maintenance Policy Decision: Should the City contract with the Florida Department of Corrections for right -of -way maintenance. The presentation included information that the Department of Corrections offers a Community Work Squad program where inmates perform public work; the work squad consists of one supervisor and 8 workers, working Monday through Thursday; the right -of -way budget is $ 347, 931 for 7 full -time employees; two City workers would remain to schedule the work squad' s assignments and to maintain right -of -way areas around homes and other sensitive areas; the City would be required to purchase a van and special phone the first year and pay the supervisor' s annual salary each year; using inmate labor for right -of -way maintenance would save the City $ 129K the first year and $ 148K annually thereafter; that five positions would be eliminated; and 0. 1366 mills is required to sustain the $ 148K annual savings. Council received clarification that the sensitive areas the work squad would not work are those areas close to the schools; that other Cities that have used the work squad' s spoke highly of them; and the City would do what it can to find the other five employees a position. The Mayor opened the floor for public comment. Doug Reed, 847 Santa Rosa Court, received clarification that the medians on Highway 98 are within the CRA area. As no one else wished to speak public comment was closed. Mr. Reeves moved to contract with the Florida Department of Corrections to use inmate labor for rights -of -way maintenance. Mr. Holmes seconded motion and it carried by a vote of 6 to 1 with Holmes, Reeves, Minich, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor and gossom opposed. Quality of Life —Athletics Policy Decision: Should the City reduce adult athletic programs. The presentation included information that the adult athletic programs include church basketball, men' s softball, women' s softball, co -ed softball, and flag football; that in FY 09 the adult participants were 390 City residents and 304 non -City residents; the youth athletic programs include flag football, tackle football, soccer, basketball, baseball, and girl' s softball; that in FY 09 the youth participants were 886 City residents and 498 non -City residents; the net cost of providing adult athletics is approximately $ 54,650 and the net cost of providing youth athletics is approximately $ 42, 150; the City currently has an Adult Athletics Coordinator and a Youth Athletics Coordinator; the