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

that Council can set the parameters as to the level of responsibility the individual should have. Ca, Co. n, d ojFnn Wall,, Bench Pug, 5 Packet Pg. 15  8 2. a Regular Meeting Minutes May 8, 2012 Mr. Goodwin expressed concern that this is a spur of the moment decision and wants to ensure the most qualified individual is selected as interim or acting city manager. Sylvia Hanks, Administrative Services Director, advised she would support Mr. Beedie for the position of interim or acting city manager. When questioned, Ms. Hanks stated she would recommended an acting city manager as opposed to an interim city manager. Mr. Rynearson requested that at the May 22 meeting, an item be placed on the agenda to discuss compensation for Mr. Beedie in his role, and any other issues that may arise. Also, to have a draft replacement plan for the City Manager prepared by Ms. Hanks for Council to discuss on May 22. The vote on the motion to appoint Michael Beedie as Acting City Manager 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 CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS None. MAYOR/ COUNCIL COMMENTS Mr. Reeves noted that Council sometimes has to make difficult decisions and tonight was one of them. He acknowledged the positive work Mr. Meatus did for the City, but noted the employees' pleadings to him at his place of business made him want to help. Mr. Goodwin stated that although he did not support the motion to terminate the city manager, he is in full support in moving forward and finding a qualified individual to lead the city. ,. mc The Mayor reminded Council and the public of the special meeting at 6 pm on Thursday, May r= 10, to discuss the upcoming budget for the Police Department The Mayor advised he attended the ceremony for the Outstanding Airmen and Civilians of the Year; that the EDC is working on , fie incentive program to waive ad valorem property taxes for new businesses; that the spaghetti luncheon at the Senior Center was successful; and that Gail Meyer, Manger of the Heritage Park E and Cultural Center, was recognized by the Okaloosa County Women's Hall of Fame. tun a ADJOURNMENT: 7: 19 pm Approved Mayor: Attest: City Clerk Oa Coun, d ofF n Walton Beach Page 6 Packet Pg. 76  8. 3 City Council of Fort Walton Beach CITY CLERK MEMORANDUM To: Robert T. Meams, City Manager From: Helen Spencer, City Clerk Date: May 22, 2012 Subject: Approval of Minutes -May 10, 2012 ( Special) ATTACHMENTS: 5 - 10 - 12 police budget -final ( DOC) SIGNATURE BLOCK: Helen Spencer Completed 05/ 11/ 2012 1: 45 PM Carole Jones Completed 05/ 16/ 2012 11: 36 AM City Manager Completed 05/ 16/ 2012 1: 06 PM City Council Pending Packet Pg. 1T  Draft Minutes — City of Fort Walton Beach Special Meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach Thursday, May 10, 2012 6: 00 PM 107 Miracle Strip Parkway For Walton Beach, FL 32548 CALL TO ORDER 6: 00 PM Meeting was called to order on May 10, 2012 at Council Chamber, 107 Miracle Strip Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, FL. Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Mike Anderson Mayor Present Bobby Griggs Council Seat 1 Present joyce gossom Council Seat 2 Present Dennis Reeves Council Seat 3 Present Trey Goodwin Council Seat 4 Present Bobby Nabors Council Scat 5 Present Bull Rigdon Council Seat 6 Present mm Dick Rynearson Council Seat 7 Present PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE POLICE DEPARTMENT REORGANIZATION The Mayor asked for a motion to waive Roberts Rules of Order for this meeting, advising that after the Police Chiefs presentation, the audience be allowed to ask questions, followed by a motion and discussion from Council, then opening up for public comments. The vote on the motion to waive Roberts Rules of Order for this meeting carried unanimously. RESULT: ADOPTED [ UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Bobby Griggs, Council Seat 1 SECONDER: Bobby Nabors, Council Seat 5 AYES: Griggs, gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Nabors, Rigdon, Rynearson Police Chief Ted Gtschauer advised a proposal for the Police Department was conducted with three requirements as goals: 1) the reduction of one million dollars from the police budget for FY 2013; 2) no reduction in safety to the citizens of the City; and 3) no increased threat to officer safety. On C uo, d cf on Walton B,, r h Page i Packet Pg. 18  F83. Special Meeting Minutes May 10, 2012 Chief Litschauer discussed the plan to traduce the police budget, including a restructuring of the patrol function to four 12 -hour squads; combining the Support Services and Criminal Investigation Divisions into a single Operations Support division; eliminating the community policing unit except for the CRA Officers, which are separately funded; the restructuring of the general investigations unit; the elimination of the sheet crimes ( vice) unit; and the elimination of one communications officers and one administrative position. Chief Litschauer concluded that this proposed restructuring of the police department, resulting in the elimination of I I positions ( eight of which have recently been vacated and not refilled) and a decrease of approximately $ 1, 019, 000 further demonstrates the commitment of the police department' s members to protect and serve the community and its citizens. v Discussion included that the loss of the general investigations unit will be offset, in, part, by the W establishment and operations of a multi- agency major case squad which will be a cooperative effort with surrounding police departments. N d Mr. Griggs moved to decline the Okaloosa County Sheriff' s Proposal to provide law enforcement services to the City, and affirm our recognition and support of the City of Fort i Walton Beach Police Department. Also, that the Acting City Manager send a letter to m Sheriff Larry Ashley to that effect, thanking him for his efforts in preparing a proposal for the City' s review. Mr. Rigdon seconded motion. P o Council commended both the sheriff for providing a proposal as the City requested, and Chief L. itschaucr for his proposal. Also discussed was the need for continuity and stability in the City' s o government an Laurie Arrington, 2t6 Fliva Avenue, discussed the increase in crime as noted in an FDLE Clime w Report and asked that Council find other ways to reduce the budget without eliminating I I positions in the Police Department. Bill Patterson, 35 Anastasia, presented a petition to Council containing over 1, 000 signatures cNC from citizens asking that a referendum be placed on the issue and did so of their own free will, m and that only in the United States could the voices of the citizens be heard. a Joe Foster, 334 Park Circle, applauded the Police Chief for the work he has done and Council for 2 their position, and echoed the concerns of the proposed reduction in force and the issue of Cost n vs. quality of life for the citizens of the City. 0 Elaine Ridge, 224 Eglin Parkway, stated many people were involved in the petitions that were in signed and that county residents were just as concerned as they did not want their level of services to be diminished with the addition of providing police services to the City. Ibny Taylor, City resident and former police officer, noted the issue of police consolidation has rm a come up many times through the years and the citizens have always voiced their opposition to any type of consolidation. Ile asked that a change in the City' s- Charter be considered so the issue of police