Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 08-14-07 regular minutes — reading text

Plan" as it is a very thorough document and with the recommendations it really is a plan of action for the future. She stated staff recommends approval of the Parking Facilities Plan and if approved, staff will return with a strategy on how to implement the various recommendations and time frames. Mr. Minich moved to accept the Parking Facilities Plan Final Report as presented. Mr. Reeves seconded motion. Mr. Miller commented the $ 31, 000 budgeted for LED signs could be better used to improve the parking signs for downtown. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, and Minich in favor (Hartwell absent). Regular Council meeting 8- 14- 07 91 LlZA JACKSON PARK MASTER PLAN Consideration of a request for Council approval of the Liza Jackson Master Plan. Karen Gercak, Chairman Waterfronts Florida Partnership Committee, explained the committee felt one of the areas in most need was the Liza Jackson Park and decided to use the grant to hire a consultant to create a master plan for Liza Jackson Park. She stated Choctaw Engineering was hired and provided a very feasible short- term plan and a long- term plan that could be implemented in the future if conditions are right. She mentioned that both plans incorporate new lighting, impressive walking areas as well as other family friendly improvements while conserving wetlands and natural vegetation. She said both plans will improve and increase the boat trailer parking and give access to the east and west parking areas without the dangers of entering and exiting Highway 98. She said the long- term plan would provide a more efficient boat trailer and vehicular parking area but would only be feasible if certain conditions were right, as in the need to rebuild a new pavilion. She said most of the funding for the improvements to Liza Jackson Park could be provided by grants. She said the Committee is excited to submit the Plan to Council for approval. Mark Siner, Choctaw Engineering, went over the Liza Jackson Park conceptual Master Plan. He pointed out aspects of the short term plan that include new park monument signs on the east and west sides, and a new park monument sign with a flag pole at the park entrance to replace the existing sign,a formal lawn and trellis, an extended elevated boardwalk with observation decks behind the wetland area, the bay saver and the creek relocation, a connecting road from the west to the east side, the sidewalk extension west side, pedestrian amenities, dog stations, a boat wash/ fish cleaning station, and 56 spaces for boat trailer parking and a boat turnaround; and the aspects of the long- term plan for a formal lawn with a water park, improved traffic flow and turnaround with 64 and the east spaces for boat trailer parking and additional vehicular parking, the pavilion relocated, parking lot identified for future recreational uses. Discussion on the short term and long term aspects of the plan included the suggestion that lights be placed on the piers for night fishing and that the plan show the proposed additional lighting in the park. In response to the question on the cost of the improvements for the short term plan the CDS Director noted it is a conceptual plan and the improvements will be done in phases as funding is available that coincide with the Plan. She said the short- term and the long- term plans give an idea on where the City wants to go as they apply for grants. During some discussion the boat trailer and vehicle parking problem at the park and the on environmental protection of the wetlands area, the Parks and Recreation Director confirmed that the wetlands will not be touched. The question was raised on the reason that no priority or timeline was what can be given for the improvements. Mr. Siner commented that the funding source will dictate done and when it is going to be done. Mary Jo Fitzpatrick, 223 Rosemarie Lane, commented the Seabreeze neighborhood is very interested in what is going on at Liza Jackson Park and requested a copy of the information. The City Manager confirmed staff will provide a copy of the plans to Ms. Fitzpatrick. Mr. Minich moved to approve the Liza Jackson Park Master Plan as presented. Mr. Garvie seconded motion. During further discussion on the improvements, the boat trailer parking was mentioned as a priority item, it was mentioned that the idea of the east and west signage was impressive, and expressed that lights should be placed on the fishing docks. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, and Minich in favor (Hartwell absent). The City Manager recognized the Waterfront Florida Manager Becki Pence for her hard work.  8- 14- 07 Regular Council meeting 92 AGREEMENT WITH ALETHEIA RESEARCH Consideration of a request to enter into an agreement with Aletheia Research and Management, Inc., to act as investment manager for a portion of the General Employees Pension Fund. The Finance Director briefly reviewed the General Employee' s Pension Advisory Committee' s decision to replace Davis Hamilton Jackson & Associates as the equities investment manager and chose Aletheia Research and Management, Inc. to manage the $ 7 million dollar equity portion of the fund. She reported the Committee is requesting Council approve the Investment Management ~ Agreement with Aletheia Research and Management, Inc. Glenda Glover, 115 Waynel Circle, wished to know how Aletheia compared with the current manager. The Finance Director stated that Davis Hamilton and Jackson was selected five years ago and have not met the bench mark, and Aletheia has historically had a much better performance. She mentioned that Larry Cole with Merrill Lynch, the Fund' s Financial Advisor, went through the selection process with the committee. Mr. Reeves moved to approve the Investment Management Agreement with Aletheia Research and Management, Inc. Mr. Miller seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, and Minich in favor (Hartwell absent). ENGINEERING/ CONSULTING SERVICES- WWTP Consideration of a request for Council authorization to approve additional engineering I consulting services for the design and construction management of improvements to the residuals handling added to Brown and processes at the City' s WWTP. These additional services and fees shall be Caldwell' s contract for RFP 05- 118 for Professional Engineering Services for Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements for the City of Fort Walton Beach. The amount of the contract shall be amended by an additional $ 209, 250 for a not- to- exceed total of $ 978, 389. 70. John Hofstad, Utilities Director, briefly explained the need for additional design and construction services due to safety concerns for the operations staff and the age of the residuals handling equipment. engineering/ consulting services for the design and Mr. Miller moved to approve additional construction management of improvements to the residuals handling processes at the City' s Waste Water Treatment Plant. The additional services and fees shall be added to Brown and Caldwell' s contract for RFP 05- 118 for Professional Engineering Services for Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements for the City of Fort Walton Beach. The amount of the contract shall be amended by an additional $ 209, 250. 00 for a not-to- exceed total of $978,389. 70. Mr. Holmes seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, and Minich in favor (Hartwell absent). RES. 07- 12 - REDUCING VPSC MEMBERSHIP The Mayor read the resolution by title. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA, REDUCING THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CITY' S VISION PLAN STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE AND PROVIDING FOR ALTERNATE MEMBERS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Len Mitchell,Long- Range Planning Manager, briefly explained the reason for the need to reduce membership on the committee is due to the inability to properly convene a meeting to conduct business because of a continuous problem with attendance. Kabe Woods, member of the Vision Plan Stewardship Committee, expressed the committee does have work to do now to update the Vision Plan and a big task next year to add more substance to the Plan, and it would be very useful if they could reduce the membership to obtain a quorum to conduct business.  8- 14- 07 Regular Council meeting 93 RES. 07- 12 - REDUCING VPSC MEMBERSHIP cont. The question was asked whether the committee should be a standing committee or an ad- hoc committee since it seemed there was good attendance when there was something for the committee to do. Mr. Mitchell stated when the committee was first formed there were several large projects and as they were accomplished there was less direction for the committee. Mr. Woods mentioned there was a gap last year when there really wasn' t anything to do and the Vision does not change very often, but there is a lot of planning activities included in the Vision document with dates that have now passed and a lot of the activities have been completed. He said the Committee is now doing a little maintenance on the Vision Plan to be positioned to do new work on a new evolved vision. The Mayor opened the floor for public input. As no one wished to speak, the public input was closed. Dr. Pullenmoved to approve Res. 07- 12. Mr. Minich seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, and Minich in favor ( Hartwell absent). ORASA GROUP Discussion regarding the lease with Orasa Group, food and beverage vendor located at the Fort Walton Beach Golf Club. The City Attorney mentioned Council approved an extension amendment to the lease for Two Trees Restaurant and pointed out in response to what was approved by Council in March there is an amendment suggested by the Orasa Group. She requested guidance and direction from Council on how to deal with the differences in what Orasa Group wants in the lease amendment and what was approved in March. She said the lease amendment was fairly simple which included an automatic rate increase and a change to give the Golf Course Administrator more discretion in determining/ coordinating events on the veranda, in addition to other issues that were dealt with, but there are there are several small issues that still need to be resolved. She said the position of Mr. unless there is Grimsley, Orasa' s attorney, is that none of the amendments can be made to the lease an agreement between both parties. She said staff needs direction from Council on