Okaloosa County BOCC — May 17, 2013 — reading text

Discussion ensued regarding classification of lifeguard services as a public safety item. Mr. Harris then made motion, seconded by Mr. Boyles, to add this to the State Legislative March 19, 2013 -41- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Packet Pg. 125  5.1.c Priorities List and to authorize the Chairman to prepare a letter to the Legislative Delegation in this regard. 5 yeas. NEW BUSINESS – PROPOSED RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT SB 50 AND HB 23 Mr. Parisot asked for consideration of a resolution to support Senate Bill 50 and House Bill 23. This proposed legislation supports the right of the public to be heard at meetings of governmental boards and commissions. Mr. Parisot requested passage of the document and forwarding it to the sponsors of the bill and the Local Legislative Delegation. Mr. Boyles disagreed. He said he supports the public’s right to speak but there must be reasonable limitations. Mr. Boyles Attachment: March 19 Regular (1657 : Approval of Minutes) sated this is an example of the State trying to tell the counties that it knows what is best for them. He felt that issue is better left to local control. Mr. Harris agreed the State is trying to take away the county’s authority and take control. He termed it a “slippery slope.” Mr. Harris commented that he doesn’t know of any city council or commission which does not give the public an opportunity to speak. Mr. Amunds said no action will be taken on this item. (Mr. Parisot left at this time—5:42 p.m.) TDD ATTORNEY JOB DESCRIPTION Upon inquiry by Mr. Amunds, Mr. Boyles stated the job description for TDD Attorney has not yet been prepared. He agreed with Mr. Amunds it should be finalized before advertising to fill that position. GROWTH MANAGEMENT – CHANGE OF HEARING DATE FOR BLUEWATER BAY DRI Mr. Elliot Kampert, Growth Management Director, stated there has been significant public input on the proposed Bluewater Bay DRI. Attorneys for the opposition have requested a change of venue and expect participation by at least 300 residents. Mr. Kampert requested consideration to set a special meeting and move the venue to accommodate the large crowd which is expected. Discussion ensued regarding the time of the meeting and possible locations. The three venues which have recording and live feed capabilities are the Crestview Courthouse, Water & Sewer March 19, 2013 -42- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Packet Pg. 126  5.1.c Administration Building, and the Emerald Coast Convention Center. Discussion continued. It was the consensus of the Board to schedule at one of these venues and to set the special meetings for 6:00 p.m. Mr. Curry stated staff will report back at the April 2 meeting on this item. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 6:05 p.m. _____________________________ _______________________________ DON W. HOWARD DON R. AMUNDS, CHAIRMAN CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Attachment: March 19 Regular (1657 : Approval of Minutes) (These minutes were transcribed by Teresa Ward.) March 19, 2013 -43- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Packet Pg. 127  5.1.d March 28, 2013 Special Called Meeting A Special Called Meeting of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners was called to order at 1:08 p.m. at the Water & Sewer Administration Building in Fort Walton Beach. The purpose of the meeting was to conduct public interviews with the candidates for the County Administrator position. Members present were Don Amunds, Chairman; Dave Parisot, Vice Chairman; Nathan Boyles; and Kelly Windes. Also present were Gary Stanford, Finance Director, Clerk’s Office; and John Dowd, County Attorney. Commissioner Wayne Harris was not in attendance. Attachment: March 28 Special (1657 : Approval of Minutes) Mr. Amunds briefly described the process to be followed during this special meeting. He then introduced Colin Baenziger of Colin Baenziger & Associates (executive recruiting firm). Mr. Baenziger detailed the procedure to be followed for interviewing the candidates in a public setting. He said these interviews will give the commissioners the opportunity to observe how the candidates might function in a commission meeting. Also, it will give the public additional information about the candidates and their communication skills. Mr. Baenziger introduced the first candidate, Mr. Rick Chaffin. Mr. Chaffin is currently the Deputy City Manager of McKinney, Texas. Previous experience includes serving as City Manager in Roswell, Georgia; Griffin, Georgia; Mount Pleasant, Texas; and Lampass, Texas. Mr. Chaffin spoke on his tour of the county and described his background. A question and answer period ensued. Mr. Baenziger exited the Chambers and returned with the next candidate. Mr. Boyles commented on the process being used and pointed out the commissioners conducted personal interviews with the candidates prior to the public meeting. Mr. Amunds noted that a reception was held for the applicants on Wednesday evening and provided an opportunity to view the candidates in a social setting. Mr. Baenziger introduced Mr. Stephen Layson. Mr. Layson detailed his background for the Board. He is currently the Chief Administrative Officer for Bibb County, Georgia. Previous positions include County Administrator for Jones County, Georgia and serving as Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners in Putnam, Georgia. A question and answer period followed. At the March 28, 2013 -1- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Packet Pg. 128  5.1.d conclusion of this session, Mr. Baenziger left the room to retrieve the third candidate. Mr. Baenziger introduced Mr. Ted Lakey. Mr. Lakey gave his background. He is currently a County Commissioner in Jackson County, Florida. Prior experience includes working as a superintendent and Interim Public Works Director in Escambia County, Florida and as a Correctional Officer in the Birmingham, Alabama, Police Department. As with prior candidate interviews, a question and answer period then ensued. At the conclusion of this session, Mr. Baenziger left the room to retrieve the final candidate. Mr. Baenziger introduced Mr. Ernie Padgett. Mr. Padgett talked Attachment: March 28 Special (1657 : Approval of Minutes) about his background. Mr. Padgett is currently retired but has previously served in the capacity of County Administrator in Manatee, Santa Rosa, and Jackson Counties in Florida. He was also the Director for the Chipola Junior College Institute of Government and a Jackson County Commissioner. A question and answer period followed. The interviews were concluded at 1:40 p.m. Mr. Amunds said it is his understanding from speaking with each candidate that he could begin within three weeks to 30 days. He stated the benefits package was explained to each candidate. He opened the floor for comments from other Board members. Mr. Boyles stated it would be helpful to hear from other commissioners what direction the Board wants to go in and what qualities they are looking for in a county administrator. Mr. Amunds replied experience is a huge factor for him. He is also looking at how the individual will interact with the public and how he took on issues in his current or former capacities. Mr. Amunds said although he likes the idea of someone from outside, he feels it is important for the candidate to be familiar with Florida laws. He felt all candidates are qualified for the position. Mr. Amunds added that he once thought the position should be held by someone who would be here for ten or more years but now believes the Board should concentrate on the best candidate for the county for the next three to five years. Mr. Parisot placed importance on the leadership role, not only in the county structure but in the communities. He said the March 28, 2013 -2- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Packet Pg. 129  5.1.d Board has a good senior staff and he does not want anyone to come in and turn that topsy-turvy. Mr. Parisot felt the county administrator should not only be a good speaker but a good listener, have good negotiation skills, the ability to interface with Constitutional officers, and maintain municipality partnerships. Mr. Windes said he wants the best of both worlds—experience and someone interested in staying more than three to five years. The individual should be able to present well, dedicated, and professional. Mr. Boyles used an analogy of experience in lawyers, saying it is the older attorneys who become complacent while younger Attachment: March 28 Special (1657 : Approval of Minutes) lawyers look at the statutes each time. He said the county has good experienced staff to provide technical knowledge. Mr. Boyles stated there will be cycles where department heads move on with their careers. He asked the Board to be open minded with regard to the experience with Florida law, saying he believes any of the individuals from Georgia or Texas could quickly get up to speed with issues. Mr. Amunds asked his fellow commissioners how they want to proceed in light of Mr. Harris’ absence. Mr. Windes replied because Mr. Harris is not here and two of the candidates submitted additional information during the interviews, he believes it is appropriate to delay any decisions until the April 2 meeting. He said he would like to sleep on it before making such an important decision. Mr. Windes made motion to postpone a vote on the candidates until the next meeting. Mr. Amunds said he does not believe a motion is required but will look for a consensus. Mr. Parisot agreed the Board should wait until Mr. Harris can be present and each commissioner should select his top two candidates. Mr. Amunds disagreed with selecting only two and said in the event negotiations were unsuccessful with the top two candidates, it would be good to have selected a third candidate. Mr. Boyles stated Mr. Baenziger has been doing this for some time and asked for his recommendation. Mr. Baenziger replied it is the Board’s process and the commissioners could select the top three or it could be done as he normally does it. Mr. Dowd asked if a weighted score is used. Mr. Baenziger answered that he prefers not to use a rating system. He said his process is to ask the commissioners to select their top three choices. From those top three, he then asks on the next ballot for each March 28, 2013 -3- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County