Okaloosa County BOCC — February 11, 2013 — Minutes — reading text

February 19, 2013 Regular Meeting The regular Tuesday meeting of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners was called to order at 6:00 p.m. at the Water & Sewer Administration Building in Fort Walton Beach. Members present were Don R. Amunds, Chairman; Dave Parisot, Vice Chairman; Wayne Harris; Nathan Boyles; and Kelly Windes. Also present were Gary J. Stanford, Finance Director, Clerk’s Office; John Dowd, County Attorney; Jim Curry, County Administrator; and members of the press. EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION - AIRPORTS DEPUTY DIRECTOR TRACY STAGE Mr. Greg Donovan, Airports Director, requested Deputy Director Tracy Stage join him at the podium. Mr. Donovan announced Mr. Stage earned his professional airport accreditation designation last week after completing a four-hour panel interview in Fort Myers. He said Mr. Stage joins an elite group of airport executives who have completed all requirements and has been awarded the distinction of Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) by the American Association of Airport Executives. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER UPDATES Mrs. Kathy Newby, Public Information Officer, stated ideas are still being welcomed for items to be included in the Time Capsule which is part of the Viva Florida 500 celebration. Categories include Pop Culture, Industry, Local Flavor, Chronology/History, Municipalities, Libraries/Museums/Schools. The time capsule will be opened in 2113. The America Saves program begins on Sunday, February 24 and will continue through March 30. Those interested in taking the savings challenge can sign up online at http//Rutgers.ancc.net or go to the University of Florida Extension Office website for more details. Mrs. Newby reported help with tax returns is available at VITA sites in Crestview and Fort Walton Beach. For more information citizens can call 689-5850. Finally, Mrs. Newby stated the Growth Management Department is seeking volunteers for the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. Representative positions are needed for mortgage banker, advocate for low income persons, real estate professional, and essential services personnel. February 19, 2013 -1- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners NOTIFICATION OF LENGTHY MEETING Mr. Amunds stated he anticipates this to be a long meeting, not anticipating it to end before 10:30 p.m. or 11:00 p.m. He recommended those in attendance may want to notify family members they may be late getting home. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’ S UPDATE Mr. Curry reported the Local Legislative Delegation meeting has been rescheduled to February 26. He said consideration should be given regarding presentation of the legislative priorities and who will make that presentation. Mr. Curry also announced that Legislative Day in Tallahassee is set for April 4. COMMISSIONER'S MINUTE Mr. Windes stated the Safe Schools Work Group has_ been established and options on creating revenue are being discussed. He said S.B. 514 will be introduced regarding special taxing districts. Mr. Windes said he has an important item regarding the legal department and asked the Chairman if the issue should be brought up now or later in the meeting. Mr. Amunds replied that if it will be a lengthy discussion, it can be considered at the end of the meeting. Mr. Windes stated it will be fine to delay until the end. Mr. Boyles stated he has nothing at this time. Mr. Parisot announced the Gulf Consortium meeting will be held on February 28 at 1:00 p.m. at Guif Coast State College. At 6 o'clock that evening, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council will have a public meeting. VISITOR - MICHAEL CHESSER, TAX INCREMENT FINANCING Mr. Amunds stated Mr. Chesser will not address the Board this evening. VISITOR - DANIEL COBBS, BRIDGEWAY CENTER, DISCONTINUATION OF SERVICES Mr. Daniel Cobbs, CEO of Bridgeway Center, provided an extended PowerPoint presentation on Bridgeway Center Inc. (BCI). The February 19, 2013 -2- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners report identified the BCI Board of Trustees, detailed the services provided, and a history of BCI’s budget from 2007 to the present. Mr. Cobbs announced BCI Inpatient Services will discontinue accepting new admissions on Friday, March 18, 2013 and the last patient will be discharged no later than Sunday, March 31, 2013. Inpatient Services consists of the Crisis Stabilization Unit, Detoxification Unit, Emergency Services, and Food Services. He said the State’s reimbursement rate is $293.34 per day per bed but the actual cost to operate Inpatient Services is $516.58 per bed day. Upon inquiry by Mr. Amunds, Mr. Cobbs stated cost to keep the programs going would be about $1.5 Million. Upon further inguiry, Mr. Cobbs replied Fort Walton Beach Hospital will continue to receive Baker Act patients. Mr. Cobbs said in his. presentation that Florida ranks 49‘ in the country in its per capita spending for mental health. Mr. Harris referred to recent shooting tragedies associated with mental illnesses. He said the State is sweeping this off their table and putting on the counties. Mr. Harris commented that he is saddened by this. Mr. Parisot pointed out Dino Villani, Public Safety Director, has been involved in a number of meetings on this subject. Mr. Cobbs stated EMS has been terrific in helping BCI. Mr. Amunds extended his appreciation to Mr. Cobbs, the Bridgeway employees and Board of Directors for their service to the community. Mr. Villani called this a public safety issue and said it is important to have an orderly transfer of services to another provider. He pointed out there are only two agencies in the county for Baker Act patients and they are Bridgeway and Fort Walton Beach Hospital. Mr. Villani stated discussions are taking place with the hospital for all these services to be bundled together under one roof. He anticipates bringing a contract with Fort Walton Beach Hospital back to the Board for consideration. PUBLIC HEARING - ORDINANCES AMENDING FLUM DESIGNATION AND REZONING 5.99 ACRES AT 1 LBJ SR DRIVE, FWB, PANHANDLE NURSING CARE (6:30 P.M.) Mr. Stanford read the advertised legal notice for public hearing to consider the request of Panhandle Nursing Care, Inc. to amend the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) designation for 5.99 acres February 19, 2013 -3- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners located at 1 LBJ Sr. Drive in Fort Walton Beach from Medium Density Residential (MDR) to Mixed Use (MU) or ae more restrictive designation. If the FLUM change is approved, the applicant further requests the zoning be changed from Residential-2 (R-2) District to Mixed Use (MU) District or a more restrictive zoning district. Mr. Dowd announced this public hearing is a quasi-judicial proceeding and anyone desiring to speak should now stand and be sworn in. Mr. Elliot Kampert, Growth Management Director, reiterated the request of Panhandle Nursing Care as read into the record by Mr. Stanford. He reported this property is the site of an existing operational nursing care facility. The owners would like to expand and remodel the existing building but the FLUM and zoning designation does not allow the property to be used as a nursing care facility. The proposed changes would allow the owners to make the current use legally conforming and would allow the improvements. Mr. Kampert noted the Property Appraiser’s records classify the parcel as “homes for the aged.” He pointed to other MU designations and zonings in the area on the map. Mr. Kampert reported there have been no public comments and staff has no objections to the requested FLUM amendment and rezoning. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval at its meeting on January 10, 2013. Mr. Steven Douglas, Crosswinds Landing, stated he is not concerned with the expansion as long as noise abatement measures are taken. He said currently there is excessive noise from the facility. Mr. Kampert replied there is a County Noise Ordinance which is enforced by the Sheriff's Office. Upon inquiry by Mr. Boyles, Mr. Kampert stated there will be buffer requirements if the owners expand the facility from its current footprint. Mr. Harris made motion, seconded by Mr. Windes, to adopt ordinances amending the FLUM designation and rezoning as advertised. 5 yeas. ORDINANCE NO. 13-09 (FLUM amendment) ORDINANCE NO. 13-10 (Rezoning) February 19, 2013 -4- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners PUBLIC HEARING - ORDINANCE GRANTING AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTION FOR PROJECT UPUNDER IN DESTIN (6:30 P.M.) Mr. Stanford read the advertised legal notice for public hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance granting an economic development tax exemption to Project UpUnder in Destin. Ms. Kay Rasmussen, Interim President of the Economic Development Council (EDC), thanked the Board for this consideration for a company desiring to set up business in Okaloosa County. She said the company would provide 67 new jobs during its first year and within five years grow to 350 full-time positions. The average wage will be more than $40,000 annually, which is 113% above the average wage in the county. The company will invest more than $22 Million in project development. Ms. Rasmusen requested approval of a tax exemption for real property, as well as tangible personal property for a period of ten years. She said this does not imply the company will not pay taxes into the county, saying $42,000 the first year will go for school taxes, the water district, unincorporated parks and the fire department. The University of West Florida HAAS Center was asked to conduct a study on the return of investment and reported after ten years there would be a 249% investment back into the county. Upon inguiry, Ms. Rasmussen stated Florida Statutes do provide for economic development organizations to abide by a confidentiality agreement (nondisclosure agreement). She cited the reasons for this provision. Mr. Boyles questioned whether those concerns for confidentiality apply to this candidate, saying this company is fundamentally different than any in the past. He stated that he wants discourse with the company, acknowledging it is the company’s right not to make the revelation just as he has a right to vote no on supporting it. Ms. Rasmussen stated when Mr. Boyles expressed his concerns at a prior meeting, she did submit the request to the company but they declined. Mr. Amunds said he looks at it different. He stated an LLC purchased the property and he doesn’t know if the land will be flipped or what will be built on it. Mr. Amunds remarked that no incentives come into play until they began employing people. Ms. Rasmussen commented the property tax is based on increasing value as when construction is complete and use of the property February 19, 2013 -5- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners begins. She noted the Property Appraiser’s Office will help monitor the progression. Mr. Dowd clarified the exemption applies only to improvements on the property. Mr. Boyles commented that it seems absurd to open the floor for public comment when you have no idea what you are talking about. Mr. Pete Blome, Niceville, objected to Mr. Boyles comments and said he thinks he is wrong. However, Mr. Blome did question the secrecy involved with the exemption. He felt if the Board wants the county to grow, it should offer exemptions to all companies. Ms. Shirley Parker, Holt, stated she has no objection to a new business coming into the county and agrees with the earlier speaker that all businesses should be given the exemption. Mr. Parisot took this opportunity to explain the provisions of the county ordinance which applies to economic development ad valorem tax exemptions. He emphasized this exemption is open to any and all businesses which meet the standards outlined in the ordinance. Mr. Parisot then made motion, seconded by