Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 05-22-12 regular — reading text

for a four -year term from October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2016. The vote on the motion to appoint M. G. Moran to the Local Planning Agency carried unanimously.... RESULT: ADOPTED ] UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dennis Reeves, Council Seat 3 SECONDER: Bobby Griggs, Council Seat 1 AYES: Griggs, gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Nabors, Rigdon, Rynearson Request For Additional Funding Request up to $ 250, 000 additional funding, using 2005 Utility Bond proceeds, to cover r0m unforeseen disposal costs of the solids and liquids from the existing structures at the WWTP. mc Michael Beedie, Engineering/ Utilities Director, advised additional funding is needed to cover the N disposal costs for the additional quantity of liquids and sediments remaining at the Wastewater Treatment Plant ( WWTP) before it is totally decommissioned; therefore Staff is requesting an aoN additional $ 250, 000 in 2005 Utility Bonds proceeds to cover the costs. Mr. Beedie informed that GreenSouth Solutions is approximately 80% completed with the carE R project and should be completed within 2 to 3 weeks. Q The vote on the motion to approve an additional $250, 000 in 2005 Utility Bonds proceeds to cover the disposal costs for the additional quantity of liquids and sediments remaining at the WWTP, and to authorize a budget amendment not to exceed $ 250, 000 from the 2005 Utility Bonds, carried unanimously. RESULT: ADOPTED [ UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dennis Reeves, Council Seat 3 SECONDER: Bull Rigdon, Council Seat 6 AYES: Griggs, gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Nabors, Rigdon, Rynearson On Council a( Fart Walton Beach Page 3 Packet Pg. 73  8. 2. a Regular Meeting Minutes May 8, 2012 Fairground Lease Renewal The City Manager informed that a request was received on April 19, 2012, from Clyde Jackson, president of the Northwest Florida Fair Association, requesting that the lease between the City and the Fairgrounds be continued under its present terms and conditions as amended. He continued that this is the first of three five -year renewals that expires on June 30 of this year, and that the lease states the exercise to option must be received by the City by January 31 of the fifth year or the lease shall terminate as of June 30 of the fifth year. The City Manager advised he spoke with the City Attorney and there are two options for Council to consider: I) the Council can recognize the lease was not strictly adhered to and terminate it; or 2) the council can determine the Fairgrounds serve a public purpose, accept the late filing as overlooked and accept the offer to extend the lease under the existing terms and conditions. m Discussion included the correct size of the parcel of land leased by the fairgrounds and that the a legal description states it as 14.67 acres, and that [ here is no established rule or policy for determining the amount of rental for leases. a 0N Charles Rigdon Jr., acknowledged the renewal date was missed but that it was an oversight and 6 requested Council renew the lease for five years as events are often booked a year or two in n advance, and a shorter lease would put them at a disadvantage. Nd Further discussion included that the fairgrounds is a value to the community. Mr. Rigdon advised he would abstain form the vote as he is the manager of the fairgrounds. AO The vote on the motion that the Fairgrounds serves a public purpose and to accept the late n filing as overlooked and accept the offer to extend the lease under the existing terms and a conditions carried unanimously. c m RESULT: APPROVED 16 TOO] '.... MOVER: Dennis Reeves, Council Seat 3 ',.. c SECONDER: Bobby Nabors, Council Seat 5 AYES: Griggs, gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Nabors, Rynearson ABSTAIN: Bull Rigdon mc City Manager Termination Mr. Reeves discussed the upcoming annual evaluation of the City Manager and stated he finds it difficult to fill out the evaluation and feels the time has come to find new leadership for the City. Mr. Reeves moved to terminate the contract for the City Manager, Robert Mcams, effective immediately, and fulfill the terms of the contract. Mr. Rynearson seconded motion. Mr. Reeves advised he has had concerns from many employees of the City and is concerned with the interaction of the City Manager with the employees, and that the City has a lot of good employees and he would not like the City to loose good people. Mr. Rynearson stated he has received valid concerns from employees the past six months regarding the management style of the City Manager, and that any evaluation he would complete on the City Manager would not be favorable. Cin, Co,, c,d ofFon Wa[ mn Beach Page 4 Packet Pg. 74  8. 2.a Regular Meeting Minutes May 8 2012 Ms. gossom advised she also has been contacted by employees and citizens regarding the performance of the City Manager and that she too has had a difficult time in completing the employment evaluation. Mr. Goodwin informed he has not received any type of comments and is not aware of any types of concerns, and therefore is not comfortable supporting this motion. He cautioned the Council in taking any kind of drastic action at this time. Mr. Nabors also informed he is not aware of any kinds of concerns with employees and he has not heard or received any reaction from staff regarding the performance of the City Manager, and that the issue needs to be looked into before such action is taken, and he would not support the motion at this time. Mr. Rigdon reported he has heard negative comments as well and that something needs to be done. Mr. Goodwin stated that no real issue with the City Manager has been addressed, and he feels it would be dangerous for the City to take action because it would appear the City cannot make decisions or keep things consistent and has too many irons in the fire with nothing being accomplished. Also, the City Manager works for the Council and Council works for the public; the City Manager does not work for the employees although it is expected that employees be treated with respect from a managerial position. Mr. Goodwin also expressed concern that, without knowing all the information, it could appear that some of the arrows pointed at the City Manager are actually directed at a poor economy, a poor tax base, lack of revenues, and the tough decisions that need to be dealt with, and cautioned taking such drastic action until the issue can be looked at further. Mr. Nabors stated he also opposes the motion because no particular problem or issue was pointed out. He stated the opinion that the City Manager has done what needed to be done in order to keep the City running effectively and efficiently on a tough budget in a poor economy. w The vote on the motion to terminate the contract of the City Manager, Robert Mearns, effective immediately, carried by a vote of 5 to 2. c R N RESULT: ADOPTED [ 5 TO 21 o MOVER: Dennis Reeves, Council Seat 3 N SECONDER: Dick Rynearson, Council Seat 7 c AYES: Griggs, gossom, Reeves, Rigdon, Rynearson NAYS: Trey Goodwin, Bobby Nabors uE M Q Mr. Reeves moved to appoint Michael Beedie as the acting city manager until the time a new city manager can be appointed. Mr Rigdon seconded motion. Mr. Reeves and Mr. Rigdon stated they feel Mr. Beedie is up to the task and will help the City get through this difficult time. They noted his education, confidence, and experience with the City were factors in his nomination. Discussion ensued regarding the difference between an acting or an interim city manager. It was noted an interim is usually for a certain amount oftime, such as 30 days, and