Okaloosa County BOCC — April 27, 2013 — reading text

last June. She advised the primary change concerns the Attachment: Minutes Jan 22 2013 (1474 : Minutes - January 22 & February 5 2013 BCC Meetings) membership composition of the Workforce Development Board. The membership was reduced from 38 members to 29. Attachment C to the agenda request identifies the 29 members by name, area of representation, qualifications, nominating organization, demographics, and period of appointment. Mr. Harris made motion, seconded by Mr. Parisot, to approve the amendment to the interlocal agreement with the Workforce Development Board. 5 yeas. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL Mr. Harris made motion, seconded by Mr. Boyles, to approve the Consent Agenda: 1. Public Safety: Approval of and authorization for Chairman to execute a FY 2013 Homeland Security Grant funding agreement in the amount of $14,200 2. Public Works: Request from At the Beach Weddings for a Qualified Beach Vendor permit for calendar year 2013 3. Public Safety: Approval of and authorization for Chairman to execute Annual Local Mitigation Strategy Letter and Information Transmittal to Florida Division of Emergency Management 4. Public Works: Final payment (Invoice #105224) from AVCON, Inc. in the amount of $640.20 for professional services for the 12th Avenue Sidewalk Addition project 5. Approval of Minutes of December 4, 2012 regular meeting 6. Budget Resolutions and Transfers: (a) Resolution amending FY 2013 Budget, Tourist Development Fund (cash carried forward) RESOLUTION NO. 13-16 (BA #63) (b) Resolution amending FY 2013 Budget, General Fund (modifications to State Homeland Security Grant) RESOLUTION NO. 13-17 (BA #64) (c) Budget Transfer: Airport Enterprise Fund (bid award to Bill Smith Electric for construction of remote overnight apron high mast lighting), BT-13-17 (d) Budget Transfer: Capital Outlay Construction Fund (final phase installation of fire sprinkler system at County Jail), BT-13-18 January 22, 2013 -3- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Packet Pg. 241  7.16.a 7. Growth Management: Authorization to advertise for public hearing Federal Transit Administration Program Section 5307 Program of Projects for FY 2013 8. Public Safety: Approval of and authorization for Chairman to execute CenturyLink maintenance agreement for 9-1-1 equipment software support at all Okaloosa Public Safety Answering Points Attachment: Minutes Jan 22 2013 (1474 : Minutes - January 22 & February 5 2013 BCC Meetings) 9. Public Works: Request from City of Fort Walton Beach for assistance in providing ten truckloads of clay for softball and baseball diamonds 10. Economic Development Council: Acceptance of Part Time Employee Conversion Formula 11. Growth Management: Update on changes to OEA grant amounts 12. Request from Emerald Bay Development Corporation for traffic law enforcement on privately-maintained roads in Emerald Bay 13. Airports: Approval of and authorization for Chairman to execute contract amendment with ERMC for preventative maintenance services for passenger loading bridges at Northwest Florida Regional Airport 14. Public Works: Approval of and authorization for Chairman to execute contract renewal with Florida Department of Corrections for inmate labor for the Parks Department 15. Public Works: Approval of and authorization for Chairman to execute Household Hazardous Waste Cooperative Arrangement Grant Agreement with Florida Department of Environmental Protection 16. Public Works: Approval of and authorization for Chairman to execute Grant of Easement for Niceville Landfill which will replace former lease agreement with Eglin Air Force Base 17. Growth Management: Approval of and authorization for Chairman to execute 2009/10 SHIP Annual Report for Closeout and Interim 2010/11 and 2011/12 reports and associated certifications 5 yeas. SHERIFF’S OFFICE – CONTINUED DISCUSSION CONCERNING SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS Mr. Amunds announced for the record that he met with Superintendent of Schools Mary Beth Jackson on Thursday, January 10, to discuss ways of working together regarding the issue of funding School Resource Officers (SROs). Subsequently, he met with Major J. D. Peacock of the Sheriff’s Department on Thursday, January 17, and it was decided the best way to address January 22, 2013 -4- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Packet Pg. 242  7.16.a the issue is for the Board, School District and Sheriff to work together. He suggested consideration be given to formation of a working group consisting of a representative of the Sheriff’s Office, the School District, and himself as Chairman of the Board to come up with suggestions/solution. Sheriff Larry Ashley stated that he is passionate about this Attachment: Minutes Jan 22 2013 (1474 : Minutes - January 22 & February 5 2013 BCC Meetings) subject and about public safety. He pointed out the School Board voted to approve the funding for 26 positions added to the elementary schools. Sheriff Ashley noted that Mr. Windes is the liaison commissioner to the Sheriff’s Office and he was invited to attend a meeting with the School Board, Sheriff, and their attorneys. He commented there is a working group already in place. Sheriff Ashley termed this a stop-gap measure, not a permanent solution. He said he has received emails asking why retirees or volunteers are not used to fill these positions. The Sheriff replied those two groups have not stepped up and offered to participate. He said the Sheriff’s Posse has increased from 45 to 115 volunteers but he has lost 39 officers and the budget has been cut by 20%. Continuing, Sheriff Ashley said he is not sure he can backfill the 26 positions by the end of the year. First, he will use $300,000 from the Federal Equitable Sharing Fund and said he is not sure if he will have to ask the County for funding assistance. However, he is asking for a commitment from the Board that SROs are important and are needed. (At the previous meeting, the Sheriff asked for funding in the amount of $265,198.) Sheriff Ashley stated when it comes to trying to determine how many deputies he needs, he believes he is in a better position to make that call. He said, “It gets down to ‘Do you trust me?’.” Mr. Amunds stated he would like to throw out a few things for discussion. He said currently the SROs are funded through the General Fund through the end of the school year. Mr. Amunds believed the issue is about backfilling positions and looking at future funding for SROs. He asked if consideration can be given to hiring full-time or part-time people with no benefits. Mr. Amunds commented there are many retired officers who would like a secondary income. He asked if consideration can be given to using SROs for the Junior Deputy Program. January 22, 2013 -5- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Packet Pg. 243  7.16.a Sheriff Ashley reiterated that 39 officers have been let go and violent crimes are going up in our area. With regard to the SROs when school is out of session during the summer, he said they are used for Summer School and to assist with increased tourists activities (for example, at the beaches). Mr. Amunds stated this issue is not just about security in the Attachment: Minutes Jan 22 2013 (1474 : Minutes - January 22 & February 5 2013 BCC Meetings) schools but providing a role model for students. He said if we are looking at saving money, all options must be on the table. Mr. Amunds noted that Mr. Windes has talked about providing the funding the Sheriff is asking for on a month-to-month basis. Mr. Windes said this is a stop-gap measure and not a long-term solution. He shared his concern about the void which is left on the streets by pulling officers from the Traffic Unit and Street Crimes Unit and putting them in schools as SROs. Mr. Windes pointed out this has been discussed quite a bit including the various funding mechanisms but most of those would require amendment to the statutes. He added that he has learned one thing so far in his tenure as county commissioner and that is nothing happens very quickly on the commission. With regard to comments about taking action being hasty or a knee-jerk reaction, Mr. Windes simply stated he cannot be in that camp because the stakes are too high and he is prepared to make a motion. As Mr. Windes began to make a motion, Mr. Parisot asked him if he could wait to see if there are additional comments. Mr. Harris stated he also met with Under Sheriff Adams and Superintendent of Schools Jackson. He asked Sheriff Ashley if he went to the schools or did the schools come to him on this issue. Sheriff Ashley replied that he and the Superintendent met to discuss additional SROs two weeks before the shooting tragedy in Sandy Hook, Connecticut. After the incident, he and Superintendent Jackson met again to discuss school security. There were suggestions of the principals of schools disarming someone who presents a danger at the schools or the possibility of arming teachers, saying he does not believe that is the solution. Mr. Harris said he believes this is a knee-jerk reaction but if something happens, it is not knee jerk. He added he has learned there are a lot of things which go on in the schools he knew nothing about. Continuing, Mr. Harris said the budget is already established for this year and to continue to take money from Reserves will put us into a bind. He stated that in the past when the Sheriff has needed additional funds, he has come to the Board with a January 22, 2013 -6- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Packet Pg. 244  7.16.a budget amendment request. Sheriff Ashley replied it has been a long time since the Sheriff’s Office had to come to the Board to ask for a budget amendment. He stressed he may not get to a point where additional funds are required from the Board but he also does not want to “start down this road” and find out funding becomes a problem. Attachment: Minutes Jan 22 2013 (1474 : Minutes - January 22 & February 5 2013 BCC Meetings) Sheriff Ashley repeated this is a stop-gap measure. He said there are $300,000 in the Federal Equitable Sharing Fund and there is the commitment of funds from the School. Sheriff Ashley agreed this is a matter of backfilling positions. He stated a decision will have to be made on priorities and the question will be whether officers for traffic and parades are more important than putting deputies in the