Okaloosa County BOCC — May 17, 2013 — reading text

Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (GCERC) provided an update on GCERC activities. The goal is to have a comprehensive plan completed by July 2013. Mr. Parisot stated the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Gulf Consortium and the Governor’s Office was discussed in concept as the draft document is not yet available. Ms. Drew March 5, 2013 -14- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Packet Pg. 79  5.1.b stated the proposed MOU allows for the Governor to appoint five or six representatives to the Consortium in an ex-officio capacity. OLD BUSINESS – BOARD MEETING PROCEDURES Mr. Parisot said he thinks the Commissioner’s Minute portion of the meetings are a good thing but questioned voting on any item proposed during the Commissioner’s Minute without having backup material. He felt the Board should only vote on items on the agenda. Mr. Amunds commented that if anyone has an item to be brought up, he should get with Mr. Curry and get it on the agenda. He Attachment: March 5 Regular (1657 : Approval of Minutes) suggested getting out of the habit of bringing items up out of the blue. Mr. Windes said sometimes you can get caught up in an issue but agreed with the concept. Mr. Boyles cautioned against adopting a formal policy which could handcuff the Board. He said if a commissioner is not comfortable with voting on something, he can say so. Mr. Boyles agreed a commissioner should try to get an item on the agenda but said a commissioner may not want to be on the agenda. Mr. Amunds concurred it should be a guide. Mr. Windes reported that some City Councils require a super majority vote for non-agenda items. He agreed with Mr. Boyles that sometimes an issue comes up and you have to act. Mr. Harris commented that even staff has “pocket items.” He also said he does not think it should be memorialized as a rule and there should be flexibility. Mr. Boyles stated while the Board is discussing procedures, he said we should remember the meeting flows through the Chairman and each commissioner should be careful of that basic rule. He said it is the Chairman’s purview to control the flow and each commissioner should seek opportunity/recognition to speak through the Chairman. OLD BUSINESS – PROCESSING ITEMS REQUIRING THE CHAIRMAN’S SIGNATURE Mr. Parisot referred to an item requiring ratification of signature because emergency procedures were implemented (Consent March 5, 2013 -15- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Packet Pg. 80  5.1.b Agenda Item #6). He noted there was no coordination sheet to ensure the document was complete or that all staff agencies had reviewed it. Mr. Curry took note of the comment. OLD BUSINESS – FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES Mr. Curry pointed out this item was previously before the Board. He stated Mr. Harris will meet with the Federal Legislative Delegation next week and wanted to provide one last opportunity to make any adjustments to the priorities. Mr. Parisot said he believes Hare Street should be removed from the priority list. Mr. Harris agreed and said Fairchild Road should be the priority. He pointed out that L-3 Communication, Attachment: March 5 Regular (1657 : Approval of Minutes) located on Fairchild Road, employs 400 people. Mr. Boyles concurred with Mr. Harris. Mr. Parisot asked if Fairchild Road is in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Mr. Hofstad replied it is a two-year project. Mr. Amunds said there is a consensus to remove Hare Street and add Fairchild Road. Mr. Parisot recommended S.R. 123 be removed because it is going to be funded by the State. Mr. Amunds confirmed consensus. Mr. Parisot also requested the reclaimed water issue for Eglin AFB be removed because Eglin has shown no interest. Mr. Amunds confirmed a consensus to remove this item. OLD BUSINESS – REVISION OF RESTORE ACT ADVISORY COMMITTEE RESOLUTION Mr. Curry said the Board gave direction on the modifications requested in this document at the last meeting. Mr. Amunds asked for comments. Mr. Parisot referred to Page 4 and the following statement: A committee member may not vote on, discuss, or recommend any project for funding, that is sub- mitted by an organization that he/she is employed by or a member of. Any conflicts of interest of this or any other type must be disclosed at the meeting and the proper forms filed in accordance with Florida Statutes. It was his opinion the Statutes do not require an individual to abstain from discussion, saying the person with a conflict cannot vote and must file the proper form. Mr. Dowd replied the Statutes give a prohibition against “participation” and that includes discussion. Mr. Boyles stated Mr. Dowd is correct. March 5, 2013 -16- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Packet Pg. 81  5.1.b Mr. Dave Sherry, Okaloosa Island, came forward to request the conflict of interest clause used by Escambia County be inserted in the resolution. He suggested the Board adopt a competitive application process for the 11 seats on the RESTORE Act Advisory Committee. Mr. Sherry said the perception is that some seats have already being handed out prior to adoption of the resolution. Mrs. Rebecca Sherry, Okaloosa Island, reiterated a request to include language similar to Escambia County’s regarding conflict of interest. She felt the current language is weaker. Mr. Harris stated the Board has made no appointments to this committee. He said the League of Cities has indeed voted on Attachment: March 5 Regular (1657 : Approval of Minutes) whom they would like their representatives to be but the Board has not made those appointments. Mr. Boyles commented that he has learned you cannot make everyone happy and he feels the Board’s job is to do the best it can. He said the best preventive element to keep anyone from doing something wrong will be Sunshine (Law). Mr. Parisot stated there will be more than 11 people involved, there will be working groups to flesh things items. He was of the opinion there would be plenty of opportunities for individuals to speak. Mr. Harris said he believes the Sherrys’ comments have merit and feel the commissioners must be careful with what they say and do. He also said he agrees totally with Mr. Boyles. Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Boyles, to adopt the resolution as written. 5 yeas. RESOLUTION NO. 13-47 NEW BUSINESS – APPROVAL OF FY 2014 STRATEGIC PLAN Mr. Curry stated a Strategic Plan Workshop was held on February 12, 2013, and staff was given direction on final preparation of the Fiscal Year 2014 Strategic Plan. Pursuant to the discussion during that workshop, previous goals on sustainable water supplies and reducing the size of government were eliminated. Two new priorities were added: 1. Developing actions for the RESTORE Act 2. Implementing corrective actions in response to the Auditor General’s Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners’ March 5, 2013 -17- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Packet Pg. 82  5.1.b Oversight of the Tourist Development Council and Use of Tourist Development Taxes and Funds Received from British Petroleum Operational Audit dated January 2013 Mr. Curry said two other topics were discussed but no consensus was reached: ranking priories and increasing the General Fund Reserves to a 45-day level. Mr. Harris said he believes the reason the Board did not set a priority ranking is to allow it the flexibility to make changes as priorities change. Mr. Windes, Mr. Boyles, and Mr. Parisot agreed. Mr. Parisot commented that perhaps “c” under Item #7 regarding Attachment: March 5 Regular (1657 : Approval of Minutes) the Auditor General’s report should be applied to other departments as applicable. Mr. Harris noted that at the Joint Legislative Audit Committee meeting held yesterday he asked for the Auditor General to expand his review to all Constitutional Offices. Mr. Windes agreed with Mr. Parisot’s recommendation. Mr. Boyles said he can recommend taking what has been learned from the TDC issue and applying it to different departments but believes he is hearing something different from Mr. Harris. He stated he does not believe the Strategic Plan is where the Board should dictate to the Constitutional Officers. However, he said he does agree with Mr. Parisot’s comments. Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to add “c” under Goal #7 to other county departments as applicable. Mr. Boyles asked the Chairman for confirmation that the vote is on the Strategic Plan with this amendment to which the Chairman replied in the affirmative. 5 yeas. $450,000 FISHING REEF GRANT Mr. Windes stated that he has been under the weather for the last eight or nine days and has been unable to review the information on the $450,000 fishing reef grant the county received. He asked for the subject to be placed on the next agenda for discussion. March 5, 2013 -18- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Packet Pg. 83  5.1.b ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. _____________________________ _______________________________ DON W. HOWARD DON R. AMUNDS, CHAIRMAN CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (These minutes were transcribed by Teresa Ward.) **** Attachment: March 5 Regular (1657 : Approval of Minutes) March 5, 2013 -19- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Packet Pg. 84  5.1.c March 19, 2013 Regular Tuesday Meeting The regular Tuesday meeting of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners was called to order at 8:30 a.m. at the Water & Sewer Administration Building in Fort Walton Beach. Members present were Don Amunds, Chairman; Dave Parisot (left at 5:42 p.m.), Vice Chairman; Wayne Harris; Nathan Boyles; and Kelly Windes. Also present were Gary Stanford, Finance Director, Clerk’s Office; John Dowd, County Attorney; Jim Curry, County Administrator; and members of the press. PRESENTATIONS – EMPLOYEE SERVICE AWARDS Attachment: March 19 Regular (1657 : Approval of Minutes) Mr. Curry presented service awards to the following employees, expressing appreciation for their continued service to