Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 06-12-07 workshop minutes — reading text

11 A MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA JUNE 12, 2007 INTRODUCTION A Council Workshop Meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was held on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at 5: 30 p. m. wth the following members present: f"' A' Mayor Mike Anderson Councilmen: Mike Holmes, Virgil Miller, Dennis Reeves, Bill Garvie, Dr. Wayne Pullen, Jim Hartwell, and Mike Minich Also Present: Joyce Shanahan, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Lisa Absher, Finance Director; Toni Craig, City Attorney; and Department Directors CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting to order. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Mayor led in the Pledge of Allegiance. UTILITY SYSTEM REVENUE BOND REVIEW Review of Utility System Revenue Bond, Series 2005; general overview of related projects and expenditures. John Hofstad, Utilities Director, gave a power-point presentation of ongoing projects and up to date expenditures, and included such information as the need to establish major water and sewer system improvements; Phase I and Phase II Water System Improvements, to include an 18" water transmission main, two new elevated storage tanks, and a new ozone treatmentfacility located at the Golf Club; funding options such as a state revolving fund; and the adoption in April 2005 of Ord. 1633 authorizing the issuance of up to $ 11, 000, 000 in Utility System Revenue Bonds. Mr. Hofstad also discussed original project costs vs. bid cost and completed cost; advised of the current status of the projects; and explained reasons for construction cost increases. He advised that Staff will provide future recommendations on options to proceed for remaining projects. HOMELESS SHELTER FOR WOMEN/ CHILDREN Mr. Garvie advised he was contacted by the pastor of a local church who would like to offer, in some way, a two- story brickbuilding he has control of as a shelter for the homeless, particularly women and children. Mr. Garvie explained he was asked to discuss the matter with the City to ascertain if there was any interest in the city taking responsibility, such as the operation, maintenance, insurance, etc. of the building for use as a homeless shelter. He continued that if there is no interest by the City in such an endeavor, he would contact social agencies to ascertain f"' A' their interest. Mr. Garvie stated he spoke to the City Manager, who advised him to have the item placed on a workshop agenda for the Council to discuss, and she would contact the CDS Director regarding the zoning in that area. Mr. Garvie requested the feeling of his fellow Council members on this subject so he will know what direction to take in regards to this issue. The City Manager explained that the City does not have any funding set aside for sheltering, and that Bridgeway did operate the building at one time but they lost their funding. 11 B Council Workshop 6- 12- 07 HOMELESS SHELTER ( CONTI Missy McKim, CDS Director, stated the zoning in the area does not allow for a facility such as a homeless shelter, and in order to allow a homeless shelter the Comprehensive Plan would have to be amended to Public Lands, and the property rezoned to Community Facility. She explained that zoning changes have taken place since the time Bridgeway managed the building, and at that time it was operated more as a residential facility. Mr. Minich acknowledged the homeless issue is a serious one, but noted the Citys policy not to contribute to charitable organizations, and stated his belief that it is not the of responsibility City govemment to take over a homeless shelter. Dr. Pullen advised there is a group that operates some homes behind the AmSouth Bank, and questioned whether a shelter would fall into that organization' s program. Ms. McKim advised that Fresh Start is the group that operates the homes in question, and that it is a shelter primarily for women and children. Mr. Garvie clarified that the church is interested in donating the use of the property for this type of purpose, and not have an actual lease. Mr. Reeves stated he supported any way that Council, as a governing body, can assist groups to provide to citizens who find themselves in this position. Mr. Miller stated he was in agreement that perhaps the zoning could be changed to allow this type of facility, but also that the City should not get involved with this type funding. Mr. Garvie stated he has a sense of Council' s feeling and he knows what steps he must take next. COOP BRIEFING Mike Dutton, Fire Chief, briefed Council on the upcoming hurricane season, stating it is predicted to be an active one. He advised the City's Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan is used by the City to handle emergencies including hazardous materials, mass medical emergencies, civil disturbance, etc. He advised it is updated every five years and will be done again in the spring of 2008. Chief Dutton requested anyone who did not have a copy of the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan to contact the City Clerk, who will then contact his office and he will ensure they receive a copy. The Fire Chief advised the Hurricane Plan is updated every year to include current staff and phone numbers, and is used in the Emergency Operations Center (EO C). The EOC meets in the second floor of the Police Department during a hurricane, the whereby in concert with the City stays actions of the County. Chief Dutton informed of the County' s new information line and described the Web EOC, which allows the City's EOC to go one- line and communicate with the EOC. County Also discussed was the Continuity of Operations Plan ( COOP), the premise being that the City ~ government will be able to operate efficiently in the event of an emergency. Chief Dutton advised ,'..... ...... that City Staff successfully completed a COOP exercise this past weekend, moving from City Hall , .. to the Hedrick Center, and setting up operations at the Hedrick Center under a variety of scenarios in 20 minutes. DEMONSTRATION OF COMPUTERS IN POLICE CARS Dr. Pullen noted he observed a demonstration by the Police Department on the use of computers in the police vehicles and what they can do, and feels it might be advantageous for Council to have the same demonstration at a workshop or before the next Council meeting.  Council Workshop 6- 12- 07 11 c TOPIC FOR WORKSHOP Mr. Hartwell asked for a briefing from the Neighborhood Improvement Coordinator regarding the process for the neighborhood meetings and how their ideas make their way to Council. The City Manager advised that ideas from the neighborhood meetings are sent to each department and worked on, and while some of the issues are sent to Council for action, the majority are handled from a Staff perspective. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting adjoumed at 6:45 p. m. 7 jI: k.IJ;};:: A7Jin CLERf?- ~ CITY Ive I""'"