Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 05-26-09 regular minutes — reading text

201 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 26, 2009 INTRODUCTION A regular meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was held on Tuesday, May 26, 2009, at 6: 00 p. m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, with the following members present: Mayor Mike Anderson Councilmen: Mike Holmes, Virgil Miller, Dennis Reeves, Bill Garvie, Bobby Nabors, Bill Patterson, and Dick Rynearson. Also Present: Robert Mearns, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Toni Craig, City Attorney; Department Directors and Media. CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. He requested anyone who wished to address Council to approach the podium after being recognized, then state his or her name and address for the record. INVOCATION Pastor Larry Carter, Fishers of Men, gave the Invocation. PLEDGE Councilman Bill Patterson led in the Pledge of Allegiance. P ROC LAMATI O N S - -RETI REM ENT The Mayor presented a proclamation to Donny Yeakos of the City's Police Department on the event of his retirement. The Mayor also read a proclamation for Edmond " Ed" Rossi, also from the Police Department. Captain Rose Berry accepted the proclamation for Ed Rossi. STUDENT ACE AWARD The Mayor presented the Student Ace Award to Levi Wiegand, a senior at Choctawhatchee High School. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mr. Holmes moved to move Item 9. 1, Award of Bid for the Redevelopment of Chester Pruitt Park, and Item 9. 1. 1., Res. 2009 -16, amending the CRA budget to complete Chester Pruitt Park, to after approval of the Consent Agenda, as the business of the day. Mr. Reeves seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. SPECIAL PRESENTATION —QUARTERLY PENSION REPORTS Presentation of Quarterly Pension Reports. Joe Bogdahn of the Bogdahn Group, the City's Financial Advisor for the General Employees' Pension Plan, reviewed the investment performance of the City' s investment managers for the quarter ending March 31, 2009. AWARD OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES Award of investment management services for the General Employees' Pension Plan. 202 Regular Council 05/ 26/ 09 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES ( CONT) The Finance Director explained the recommendation to change Alliance Bernstein as an investment manager was recommended by the Investment Manager and approved by City Council at their meeting of December 2, 2008. On February 4, 2009, the General Employees' Pension Advisory Committee held a meeting and recommended the firm of Anchor Capital to replace Alliance Bernstein as the Value Manager for the General Employees' Pension Plan. The Mayor asked for public input. There was none. Mr. Reeves moved to award the Investment Management Services for the General Employees' Pension Plan to Anchor Capital of Boston, Massachusetts, to replace Alliance Bernstein, as approved by the General Employees' Pension Advisory Committee and recommended by the Financial Advisor of the Plan. Mr. Holmes seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Holmes moved to approve the following Consent Agenda items. Mr. Reeves seconded motion. Mr. Miller discussed the motion made at the May 12, 2009 Council meeting regarding keeping the CRA as it is currently, and mentioned there are members who have business interests in the CRA district who should have declared their interest before they voted. The City Attorney noted Mr. Miller is referring to a conflict of interest and the only time they can abstain from voting on Council is if they have a conflict of interest which is usually financially driven and would have to have an interest in the vote that is different that the general population. The City Attorney advised the motion is for the approval of the minutes, and that Mr. Miller could bring this item up at another time if he desired. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the minutes of the Special Council Meeting of May 5, 2009 and the Regular Council Meeting on May 12, 2009. REJECT PROPOSALS —GIS IMPLEMENTATION Approval to reject all proposals for RFQ 09 -112 for GIS Implementation for Underground Infrastructure Systems. BID 09 -113, REDEVELOPMENT OF CHESTER PRUITT PARK Award Bid 09 -113 for the redevelopment of Chester Pruitt Park to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, A. Needles Construction, in the amount of $409,400. Chester Pruitt Park Christy Johnson, Principal Planner, informed that Bid 09 -113 for Improvements was advertised on February 2, 2009, and that the scope of work consists of construction of a walking trail around the park, installation of decorative and other lighting, construction of two secondary entrances, a restroom, and installation of stormwater improvements and landscaping.  203 Regular Council 05/ 26/ 09 CHESTER PRUITT PARK (CONT) Ms. Johnson advised that the sealed bids were opened and reviewed by staff at a publicly noticed meeting on March 13, 2009, and A Needles Construction of Pace, Florida, was the lowest, most responsible bidder with a bid amount of $ 409,400. 00. She noted that Whitfield Construction withdrew their bid after they discovered a major error was made and they would not be able to perform the work. Ms. Johnson advised that funding is available in the current year appropriation and that additional funds can be transferred from the CRA fund balance to pay the remaining cost. The total estimated project cost is $ 515, 800. 00, with a transfer from fund balance in the amount of 264,241. 34. Ms. Johnson recounted the discussion during the CRA meeting and explained that the 10 -foot sidewalk width was chosen by the neighborhood group and Staff and that the width will allow for vehicles to enter the park without ruining the landscaping; that it will be convenient for vendors during the festivals held at the park; that the total length of the walking trail is 1, 900 linear feet; and the importance of having the restrooms constructed in the first phase of the park improvements. Ms. Johnson advised the CRA Board voted on May 6, 2009, to award Bid 09 -113 to A Needles Construction for the bid amount of $ 409,400.00 and recommend transfer of appropriate funds and a budget amendment from fund balance to fund the construction of improvements at the park. The Mayor asked for public input. Rev. Cecil Williams, Greg Chapel AME Church, commented on the importance of the park to the community; that events and children' s activities cannot be held due to the closure of the park; and asked that Council vote unanimously for the proposed bid so the park can be open as soon as possible. Becky Robinette, 104 Carson Drive and secretary-treasurer of the Beal Parkway Neighborhood, advised the residents of the neighborhood have been working with Staff in the planning of the park for two years; that this is the park they desire; and that as a City resident she would like to see more of her tax money being spent to improve the neighborhood in which she resides. Ms. Robinette urged Council to vote unanimously for the project, and that it would be a vote of confidence for the neighborhood. Sabu Williams, Greater Peace Baptist Church, stated the park is for the greater good of the City and when completed will be a feather in the cap for the City of Fort Walton Beach. As there was no one else who wished to speak, the public hearing was closed. Clarification was given that two motions would be needed from Council, one to approve the bid for the redevelopment of the park, and the other approval of the resolution amending the CRA budget to complete the redevelopment. Mr. Garvie moved to award Bid 09 -113, Chester Pruitt Park Redevelopment, to A. Needles Construction of Pace, Florida, for the bid amount of $409,400; approve a $ 263,242 Budget Amendment from Fund Balance by Res. 2009 -16 for $ 156, 842 to fund the A. Needles construction contract and $ 106,400 for additional improvements; and authorize the City Manager to execute individual change orders up to $ 20, 000, not to exceed the aggregate total change order amount of ten percent of the contracted amount ($ 40,940. 00). Mr. Holmes seconded motion. 41 Regular Council 05/ 26/ 09 CHESTER PRUITT PARK ( CONT) Council discussion included the need to move the project forward and that it will help to unify the neighborhood; that the neighborhood had an active role and worked with City staff in developing the kind of park they wanted to see; that the CRA has funded this project and this is what the CRA does; and to disapprove the project would be a disservice to the City. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. RES. 2009 -16, AMENDING BUDGET TO COMPLETE PARK REDEVELOPMENT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR OCTOBER 1, 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 BUDGET TO MAKE CERTAIN AMENDMENTS TO APPROPRIATIONS OF CITY FUNDS FOR CHESTER PRUITT PARK IMPROVEMENTS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. The Finance Director advised the amount listed on the Council agenda for Res. 2009 -16 of 156, 842 is incorrect; the correct amount is $ 263, 242 and that is the amount listed in the resolution. The Finance Director also advised the funding amount includes the playground equipment. Mr. Garvie moved to adopt Res. 2009 -16 as corrected in the amount of $263, 242. 00. Mr. Patterson seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. ORD. 1801 — DEPARTMENTAL REORGANIZATION The City Attorney read the ordinance by title. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA; AMENDING SECTION 2. 14. 02, DEPARTMENTS ESTABLISHED, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO REORGANIZE CITY DEPARTMENTS; REPEALING CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mark Wiltsie, Human Resource Director, advised this ordinance would finalize the action taken last week to amend the Code of Ordinances, and would formalize the departments and functional units within the City's organization. The Mayor opened the public hearing. As there was none, the public hearing was closed. Mr. Reeves moved to adopt Ord. 1801 on first reading. Mr. Patterson seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. ORD. 1802,