Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 02-13-2007 regular agenda — reading text

Director; Mike Dutton, Fire Chief; Tom Jeff Peters, Parks and Utilities Director; Jim Recreation Director; Mark Wiltsie, Frazier, Golf Club Police Chief; Mike Tatum, Human Resource Administrator; Purchasing Director; and Dave Director; Ted Litschauer, Jenzen, MIS Director.. Facilitator: Dr. Herb Marlowe, Jr., Ph. D. CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. STATE OF THE CITY The Mayor went over the State of the achievements; the tax base and City with a recap of the overall picture on the cost economic information on savings; key housing, retail sales and the bed tax; the city services new construction, cost of living, affordable recreation, water and sewer, Pt" OVided for police, fire, EMS, sanitation, and golf; and parks & homeless, affordable the housing, storm water, traffic, and community hot button issues of the transportation. The City Manager mentioned that the Okaloosa partnered together to work on County Community Development Corporation and the Chamber ~ ave stated the City is the homeless and working on an RFP for storm water affOrdable housing issue. She received from First management. She also mentioned a City Bank in .strong OPposition to the letter was proposed one- way street on The Mayor mentioned Perry and First. the by- pass affordable housing is through Eglin may not be as being addressed by the Eglin helpfol as originally thought, consider doing away with the property tax and Management group; and the legislators increasing the sales tax to raise additional may revenue. Mr. Tucker expressed his desire that Council take a position on the location of the The City bridge. Managermentioned in preparation for the annual She said the first will be budget meetings, three workshops will be scheduled in the near future. on impact fees workshop to discuss the ad valorem taxes, and next Tuesday, another another workshop on storm water management. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS Kabe Woods, 240 Brooks Street, asked Council to transportation and infrastructure as focus on health and priorities for the City. He safety, water and sewer, be in line with the mentioned the vision of the City and bridge location should area. expressed his support for one- way streets in the downtown  Str,ategic Planning Session 154 1- 20- 07 GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS cont.' Don Panzenhagen, 267 Ewing Court and Historic Sites and Structures mentioned the Board recommends the Advisory Board Chairman, City do what is required to become a Certified Local Government. He pointed out the need to update a very old historic s~ructures archaeological survey. He mentioned the Board is willing but willinventory initiate a citywide and to need more staff support. He estimated $ 50, 000 a year would be reasonable to dedicate to the effort and if the support cannot be absorbed with the current staff, then staff additional staff will be needed. Doug Reed, 842 Santa Rosa Court and owner of MerJin' s downtown, suggested streamlining the permitting process for contractors as some areas are redundant. He mentioned none of the downtown businesses were aware the one- way streets downtown was as far along and are in the process of being approved. The City Manager explained the issue came up recently at the CRA charette on the CRA Plan Update; they are not close to having public meetings on it as it is still part of the discussion phase. Bill Garvie, 315 Shell Avenue SE, mentioned the storm water the waters. He complimented staff for coming off the streets and going into receiving a grant to install four storm water separators and requested the City continue with the effort and to install more storm water separators. DISCUSSION ITEMS Discussion was held on the following issues: Rethinkina the business of City aovernment issues Boards and Committees - discussion included the need for direct and open communication; are following the strategic plan; receive quarterly, semi- annual, or annual they slot on agenda to allow report by Chairman, or regular reports as needed. Alternative means of service deliverv - discussion included consolidation of fire and in south Okaloosa police services County; expand police and fire services RFP to look at ways to in the most cost effective manner such as provide services outsourcing, consolidation, public/ private partnerships, privatization, and InterJocal Agreements. E- Government - discussion included expanding Council e- capability at me.etings; provide Council a laptop at meetings for capability of instant retrieval of information; waiting to access information at a meeting may slow process; and the. Charter Officers having the capability to access information at meetings. . Human Resources PO Ii cv' - compensationr/etirement- discussion included establishing a hard maximum on pay chart; have an overall review of the retirement program; doing a compensation retirement survey; establish a bonus system with a one time bonus; and having a review of all cOrnpensation systems. Ad valorem tax - discussion included the need for a balance of businesses and residences if the legislature eliminates the ad valorem tax and increases the sales tax. Reserve policv - discussion included revisiting the City' s current policy to maintain 200/0 of operati ng expenses in the reserve fund with 26%) currently in the reserve fund. City Hall relocation - discussion included moving City Hall to a location level and away from the waterfront; move the higher than 6' above sea City Hall facilities to another location, let the reverter clause kick in so the property will revert back to the tax rolls, or keep a portion of the function at the current location so the reverter clause city government would not apply. Council protocol - encourage new Council members to read the protocol handbook.  Strategic Planning Session 1- 20- 07 155 RECESS The morning session took a break at 10: 15 a. m. RECONVENE The morning session reconvened at 10: 30 a. m. Business climate fo'r redeveloDment issues Pennittina review and enforcement