Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 04-09-13--regular — reading text

MIKE ANDERSON, MAYOR MC In 2267 Page 1  4.2 City of Fort Walton Beach M ffMrvrrJInr,iVmYalir tr yzr rnRpCLAWAgJ0X WHEREAS, The Raid was a total secret to all involved and the members of the raid were chosen by volunteering for a " dangerous, secret mission"; and WHEREAS, 16 B -25 twin engine bombers were to take off from the deck of the Aircraft Carrier USS Homer and bomb mainland Japan. This would be the first attack on Japan in World War II; and WHEREAS, about 600 miles from the Japanese mainland, a small fishing boat was spotted and destroyed, and General Doolittle felt that this small boat may have warned Japan that there was a big "* ss" U. S. Aircraft Carrier just outside of town, so Jimmy Doolittle ordered the raid to proceed immediately; and WHEREAS, due to the possibility of detection, the raid was ordered to proceed ahead of schedule and aircraft takeoff was to begin immediately. All 16 B -25' s successfully took off from the Carrier and bombed their targets; and WHEREAS, the B -25 raid has gone down in the annals of World War 11 as a classic example of the courage and ingenuity of American airmen in combat. Led by the incomparable Jimmy Doolittle, the raid came at a time when the Japanese were advancing steadily across the Pacific, and Guam, Wake Island, Hong Kong and Singapore had fallen; and WHEREAS, the appearance of 16 B -25s over Japan on April 18, 1942 lifted the gloom that had descended upon America and her Pacific allies. The full impact of the raid on the minds of the Japanese military leaders was not realized until long after the conflict; and WHEREAS, it is with great pride that stories are told of the value of Eglin Field during the training for this auspicious and world -changing mission; and WHEREAS, it is with immense pride and forgivable sadness that Fort Walton Beach and the military and civilian community welcome the four surviving Doolittle Raiders to their 71' and final Doolittle Raiders Reunion from April 17"' to 20", 2013. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mike Anderson, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Fort Walton Beach, do hereby proclaim the City' s pride and respect for the DOOLITTLE RAIDERS" as they enjoy the Doolittle Raiders Farewell Tribute Reunion from April 17' h to 201", 2013; DOC To 2279 Page I  4.2 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Fort Walton Beach to be affixed this 91" day of April, 2013. z MIKE ANDERSON, ' / R  4.3 lov City ofFort Walton Beach V tira'r} rmv, iam/Inl pRpCLAWA2705r WHEREAS, for more than 230 years, individuals from all walks of life have taken up arms and sworn an oath to support and defend the principles upon which our country was founded; and WHEREAS, whether serving at home or abroad, Florida' s active duty, reserve and National Guard military and civil servants, protect our homeland, respond to national disasters, assist humanitarian emergencies and protect against all threats foreign and domestic; and WHEREAS, created in 2008, the United States Army Community Covenant program was designed to foster and sustain effective state and community partnerships with all of the armed services, improving the quality of life for service men and women and their families; and WHEREAS, the State of Florida has conducted a state -wide community covenant signing ceremony; and WHEREAS, community support is essential to the readiness of the military and contributes to strengthening the resilience of U. S. military personnel; and WHEREAS, Americans recognize that military personnel and their families make considerable sacrifices as they defend the Nation, as multiple deployments, frequent moves, and visible/ invisible wounds of war are a few of the unique stresses military families face; and WHEREAS, today, Floridians support service members, veterans, and their families by stepping forward to help mitigate stresses associated with military life while also striving to inspire their fellow Americans to continue to recognize and support military and veteran families in their communities. NOW, THEREFORE, 1, Mike Anderson, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Fort Walton Beach, do hereby proclaim April 17, 2013 as MILITARY FAMILY AND COMMUNITY COVENANT DAY" and hereby express their unwavering support and admiration to all current and former military personnel for their true and faithful service and further recognize the tremendous sacrifices of their families. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Fort Walton Beach to be affixed this 9" day of April, 2013. ooc m: 2280 Page I  4.3 Aft / 4--a" qvMIKE ANDERSON, MAYOR ket  J City of Fort Walton Beach M k 2 pRQCGA9A?I05V WHEREAS, the Okaloosa County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People received its charter from the National Association on April 16, 1948, making it one of the oldest civil rights organizations in Northwest Florida; and WHEREAS, the mission is the complete eradication of racial hatred and racial discrimination of all forms in our county and the total inclusion of people of African descent as well as other minorities, in realizing their full potential in this great country; and WHEREAS, this branch is not the largest in Northwest Florida but has been one of the most active in recent years, and in fact in years past; and WHEREAS, the average age of our branch officers is about 45 and the branch boasts an equally high number of women serving in positions in all capacities. The branch is fortunate to have no less than six previous presidents of the branch still living and serving in this area in various capacities. The torch has passed from leader to leader peacefully and without resentment. The past presidents are as much a part of the organization as the most current officers; and WHEREAS, on Saturday, April 13, 2013, the long anticipated " Legacy Walk of Fame" will be unveiled at the Chester Pruitt Park in Fort Walton Beach, as a special honor for those whose shoulders we are standing on today. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mike Anderson, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Fort Walton Beach, do hereby congratulate the Okaloosa County Branch of the NAACP on the good work they have done to succeed in achieving their OKALOOSA COUNTY NAACP - 65`h BIRTHDAY" on Tuesday, April 16, 2013. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Fort Walton Beach to be affixed this 9'h day of April, 2013. MIKE ANDERSON, MAYOR 1W DOC ID. 2285 Page I  0 City Council of Fort Walton Beach ENGINEERING & UTILITY SERVICES MEMORANDUM To: Michael D. Beedie, City Manager From: Tim Bolduc, Engineering and Utilities Services Director Date: April 9, 2013 Subject: 2012 CRA Annual Report 1. 1. 1. In accordance with Section 163. 356 ( 3)( c) of the Florida Statutes, the Community Redevelopment Agency ( CRA) is required to provide an Annual Report of activities to the City Council for the preceding calendar year. 2. DISCUSSION: 2. 1. During the 2012 calendar year, the following activities were completed in the Community Redevelopment Area: 2. 2. Summary of CRA Activities 2. 2. 1. The new and revised CRA economic incentive programs were approved by City Council on June 12, 2012. These programs have been successful in promoting the advancement of three CRA goals: ( 1) direct removal of blight through the Nuisance Abatement Program, ( 2) removal of development barriers by eliminating City development fees through the Development Assistance Program, and ( 3) more noticeable improvements in the appearance of property through the Fagade Grant Program. The programs experienced great success in their first six months. The success of each program accounted for a total of 101, 995. 83 in approved grant funding between June and December 2012 and a private investment of $1, 494, 605. 40. 2. 2. 1. 1. Matching Facade Grant Program - A total of $58, 529.07 in grant funding was approved. 2. 2.1. 2. Development Assistance Grant Program - A total of $41, 666. 76 in grant funding was approved. 2. 2. 1. 3. Nuisance Abatement Grant Program - A total of $1, 800. 00 in grant funding was approved. 2. 2. 1. 4. Revised Matching Streetscape Program - No grant funding was approved for this program during 2012. 2. 2. 1. 5. Commercial Revolving Loan Fund Program - This program is still under development but can potentially offer gap funding at low interest rates through local banks for expanding businesses or businesses that locate in the CRA. Page 1 of 4  6. 1 2. 2. 1. 6. Land Value Investment Program - The Florida Community Redevelopment Act focuses on property acquisition and associated blight removal as one of the primary tools for successful