Okaloosa County BOCC — May 17, 2013 — reading text

County Commissioners Packet Pg. 98  5.1.c Mr. Matt Parker, Shalimar, stated the center will be opened to the public during non-school hours. He reiterated they are looking at constructing eight strongly built courts for a top notch facility. The committee is seeking assistance from the Public Works Department to perform the following work: • rough in retention ponds, fill areas, tennis court area, and founder’s brick area • top dressing soccer fields with excess materials • install equalizer pipe in retention basins (pipe provided by others) • compaction of subgrade • installation of aggregate base (aggregate provided by others) Attachment: March 19 Regular (1657 : Approval of Minutes) • compaction of aggregate base Mr. Amunds stated the county likes partnerships but noted the county has several ongoing projects. He asked if it is possible for the School Board to be responsible for spreading the base and to supply manpower. Mr. Huff stated he is certain Bill Smith (School Board) will do what he can because it is a school project. (NOTE: The agenda request provided Public Works staff information. The report stated this request will take two or three staff members working approximately five weeks and will impact scheduling of other project commitments. The total cost for the county’s efforts is estimated at $27,500.) Mr. Harris remarked that he has 207 miles of dirt roads in his district and as much as he would like to help, his priority is infrastructure and not amenities. He noted there also appears to be some money involved. Mr. Harris said he was once told by a former county engineer, “there is only so much money and so many people.” Mr. Boyles stated he too has a lot of dirt roads. He pointed out that later on the agenda is a request from the City of Laurel Hill for assistance in repaving roads. Mr. Boyles said the Road Department is stretched thin and there should be a clear understanding county projects come first. He stated that could be an inhibitor. Mr. Parisot said they are requesting “front-end stuff” and if the county cannot do it, it will delay the project. He told Mr. March 19, 2013 -15- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Packet Pg. 99  5.1.c Huff the committee may need to talk with a contractor and come up with another $27,500 for him to do the work. Mr. Parisot was of the opinion the group has other resources and stressed this is School Board property. He too felt it was inappropriate to take the county crews off priority projects. Mr. Huff commented the group will deal with the delay. Mr. Harris stated now he gets telephone calls about prioritizing of roads and asked if anyone could imagine what it would be like when people hear road crews have been taken off road projects to work on tennis courts. His response to the request was “not at this time.” Mr. Amunds said the Board could take the request with no date Attachment: March 19 Regular (1657 : Approval of Minutes) and no funds at this time. Mr. Huff said if they get to the point for grading and base work and Mr. Hofstad says his crews cannot help, they will pull money from the second phase of the project (lighting) for the construction. Mr. Amunds stated maybe the county could assist with the lighting phase. Mr. Curry observed this is a good project but asked the Board to keep in mind there are tons of community projects out there. He said the county works with the School Board often to set light poles at ballparks. Mr. Curry stated staff has a narrowly defined limit of what it brings to the Board for consideration. He cautioned the commissioners they could become bombarded with requests. Mr. John Hofstad, Public Works Director, said his concerns are like those also expressed by the Board. He pointed out the requests for assistance have increased, mentioning paving requests from the City of Fort Walton Beach and sidewalks in Bluewater Bay. Mr. Hofstad said Mr. Huff has a fast-tracked schedule for development of this facility. He stated it is not a monetary concern ($27,500 cost to county) but a scheduling issue. Mr. Windes stated it is a matter of priorities and roads in North County are more important than this. He added that he would love to help but the Board has only certain resources to work with. Mr. Amunds said the Board may not be able to help in the construction phase but perhaps could help with the lighting. Mr. Harris felt the Board could be setting a dangerous precedent. Mr. Boyles stated the Board has an obligation to its March 19, 2013 -16- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Packet Pg. 100  5.1.c citizens. He referred to the various requests and said some items are a matter of public safety, such as sidewalks at Bluewater Bay. Mr. Boyles said this group is bringing money and asking for help. Mr. Amunds commented that he does not want to be the reason for slowing the project and believes the county may be able to help more later in the project rather than on the front end. He told Mr. Huff not to count on the county to get to provide assistance at the beginning of construction. Mr. Huff replied they will have to go to Plan B. Mr. Parisot made motion to disapprove the request. Mr. Boyles did not think it was necessary to have a negative motion. VISITOR – JIM VEST, MID-BAY BRIDGE AUTHORITY, 2013 LEGISLATION Attachment: March 19 Regular (1657 : Approval of Minutes) Mr. Jim Vest, Executive Director of the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority, stated he would like to speak to the Board about 2013 Legislation, specifically Sections 26 and 27 of Senate Bill 1132. He explained that Section 26 creates the Regional Tollway Authority Act and creates three regional tollway authorities. One is the Okaloosa-Bay Regional Tollway Authority, serving Okaloosa, Walton and Bay Counties. Section 27 transfers the governance and control of the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority to the Okaloosa-Bay Regional Tollway Authority. Mr. Vest stated the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority opposes this legislation and asked the Board’s support to oppose SB1132. Mr. Harris asked how many toll roads are currently included in the three-county area and answered his own question by saying “none.” He stated the proposed legislation would take the money from the Mid-Bay Bridge, generated in Okaloosa County, and would then spend it over the three-county area. Mr. Parisot said if not for the relationship of the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority and the U.S. Air Force many of the connector roads would not have gotten done. He expressed concern about the current phases of construction if the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority were to be dissolved. Mr. Parisot pointed out both the Authority and the Board sent resolutions opposing this legislation last year. He recommended a similar resolution be placed on the April 2 agenda for consideration. Mr. Vest said this legislation was introduced in the Transportation Committee. He outlined the steps the bill has moved through so far. Mr. Vest stated there are three more steps, including the Budget Subcommittee for Transportation and March 19, 2013 -17- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Packet Pg. 101  5.1.c Tourism. He noted the proposed House companion bill does not include Sections 26 and 27. Mr. Parisot asked for this item to be put on our State lobbyists’ radar, as well as that of the FAC’s lobbyists. Mr. Curry advised a resolution will be drafted for the next meeting and this issue will be added to the Legislative Priorities List. TOURIST DEVELOPMENT – USE OF TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX TO HELP FUND EMERGENCY DREDGING OF ENTRANCE TO DESTIN HARBOR Mr. Daniel O’Byrne, Tourist Development Director, stated he has received a request from Destin Mayor Sarah “Sam” Seevers for Board assistance in the amount of $180,000 in Tourist Attachment: March 19 Regular (1657 : Approval of Minutes) Development Tax funds for emergency dredging of the entrance to Destin Harbor. Mayor Seevers’ letter (distributed to the commissioners during the meeting) stated staff and legal counsel believe it would be appropriate to take these funds from the first percentage point of the Tourist Development Tax. Mr. O’Byrne stated if approved, Special Counsel Greg Stewart will be asked to draft an interlocal agreement with Destin for consideration at a future date. Mayor Seevers pointed out the area proposed for dredging on a navigational map, stressing it is dangerous navigating the harbor. She underscored the serious economic impact of the fishing fleet being unable to get out of the harbor. Mayor Seevers referred to a study conducted in 2000 which showed the harbor fishing fleet contributed $317 Million to the economy. She said the emergency solution is to dredge the affected area to the maximum allowable by permit which is 12,000 cubic yards of sand. Estimated cost for the project is more than $200,000. Mayor Seevers stated the City is requesting a contribution from the county of $180,000 and the City will contribute the remainder. Mayor Seevers also advised the Board that the City is in the process of applying for a permit to protect Norriego Point. She emphasized they will not quit until Norriego Point is stabilized. Mr. Harris commented that is not just a Destin issue. He asked for the projected cost of the project. Mayor Seevers replied the original application submitted by the City is for $7 Million to $9 Million. The first phase would be to harden the point. Upon inquiry by Mr. Parisot, Mayor Seevers answered the dredge materials will be placed on Norriego Point. March 19, 2013 -18- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Packet Pg. 102  5.1.c Mr. Parisot asked Mayor Seevers if the City will agree to apply for a grant to the Gulf Tourism Seafood Program to parallel the county’s application for reef deployments. The Mayor replied she will put the item on the City Council’s next meeting agenda for consideration. Mr. Boyles encouraged working toward a final solution. Mr. Windes stated the scheme to stabilize Norriego Point has been presented as a “once and for all.” He felt there would still be a need for a maintenance program and added that you cannot defeat Mother Nature. Mr. Windes made motion, seconded by Mr. Parisot, to approve the Attachment: March 19 Regular (1657 : Approval of Minutes) use of up to $180,000 of first penny tourist development tax for the emergency dredging of the Destin Harbor entrance and associated engineering costs and to authorize Special Counsel to draft an interlocal agreement with the City of Destin. Mr. Dave Sherry, Okaloosa Island, stated he is not present to oppose providing assistance with the dredging. He referred to a Board action in 2010