Okaloosa County BOCC — April 27, 2013 — Minutes — reading text

January 22, 2013 Regular Meeting The regular Tuesday meeting of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners was called to order at 8:30 a.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 Officer, Clerk’s Office; John Dowd, County Attorney; Jim Curry, County Administrator; and members of the press. PRESENTATIONS – EMPLOYEE SERVICE AWARDS Mr. Curry, with the assistance of the Chairman, presented service awards to the following county employees: Jody Helms--------------Five Years Greg Donovan------------Five Years Ken Greggory------------Five Years Jamie Santiago----------Five Years Mariena Kohlhaas--------Fifteen Years Richea Driskell---------Twenty-five Years William Florence--------Twenty-five Years Gary Smith--------------Retirement PRESENTATION – 2012 TANK OF THE YEAR AWARD TO OKALOOSA COUNTY WATER AND SEWER Mr. Jeff Littrell, Water & Sewer System Director, introduced Doug Hansen of Tnemec, Robert Crombaugh of Steelcon Coatings, and Robert Bolling of American Suncraft. He explained that Tnemec judged more than 200 potable water storage tanks in its 2012 Tank of the Year competition. The 500,000-gallon pedestal tank on Okaloosa Island was the leading finalist and this year’s winner. This tank is painted with a mural depicting the Emerald Coast. Mr. Hansen was quoted in the news release as saying, “The mural on the 500,000-gallon pedestal tank is a tribute to the efforts of Okaloosa County government and citizens to protect their beaches and emerald green waters from all environmental threats.” Mr. Littrell said the Island tank is featured for the month of January in Tnemec’s calendar. Mr. Hansen of Tnemec (Kansas City, Missouri) stated Tnemec made about 8,000 calendars and distributed them to engineering firms around the country. He and Mr. Crombaugh presented plaques to Mr. Littrell, as well as January 22, 2013 -1- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners representatives of American Suncraft (contractor) and Polyengineering (consulting engineers). PUBLIC INFORMATION UPDATE Mrs. Kathy Newby, Public Information Officer, opened her report with a promo for the Okaloosa Today program which airs on Cox Channel 6. Commissioner Boyles will be the guest on the program. Mrs. Newby stated 30,695 guests visited the Freedom Lounge at Northwest Florida Regional Airport in 2012. Also in Airport news, roundtrip flights to Washington D.C. costs about $200. Mrs. Newby reminded everyone the Eco-Nomic Living Expo will be held on February 2. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S UPDATE Mr. Curry said the only item he has is a reminder the Board’s Strategic Planning Workshop is set for February 12 at 1:00 p.m. in Crestview. COMMISSIONER’S MINUTE Mr. Boyles – nothing Mr. Harris requested an update on the Parks Advisory Committee at a future meeting. Mr. Parisot stated the Purple Heart Service was held on Saturday at the Armament Museum. He also said at the last meeting there was some mention of a 15% rule for use of Law Enforcement Trust Fund (LETF) dollars for community projects and asked for clarification. Mr. Dowd replied the 15% must go for stated purposes of law enforcement and includes School Resource Officers. He said there is no minimum percentage for contributions to charitable or non-profit organizations. Mr. Windes – nothing Mr. Amunds – nothing January 22, 2013 -2- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners VISITOR – LINDA SUMBLIN, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD, REVISIONS TO INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT Ms. Linda Sumblin, Executive Director of the Workforce Development Board of Okaloosa and Walton Counties, requested review and approval of an amendment to the interlocal agreement approved last June. She advised the primary change concerns the membership composition of the Workforce Development Board. The membership was reduced from 38 members to 29. Attachment C to the agenda request identifies the 29 members by name, area of representation, qualifications, nominating organization, demographics, and period of appointment. Mr. Harris made motion, seconded by Mr. Parisot, to approve the amendment to the interlocal agreement with the Workforce Development Board. 5 yeas. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL Mr. Harris made motion, seconded by Mr. Boyles, to approve the Consent Agenda: 1. Public Safety: Approval of and authorization for Chairman to execute a FY 2013 Homeland Security Grant funding agreement in the amount of $14,200 2. Public Works: Request from At the Beach Weddings for a Qualified Beach Vendor permit for calendar year 2013 3. Public Safety: Approval of and authorization for Chairman to execute Annual Local Mitigation Strategy Letter and Information Transmittal to Florida Division of Emergency Management 4. Public Works: Final payment (Invoice #105224) from AVCON, Inc. in the amount of $640.20 for professional services for the 12th Avenue Sidewalk Addition project 5. Approval of Minutes of December 4, 2012 regular meeting 6. Budget Resolutions and Transfers: (a) Resolution amending FY 2013 Budget, Tourist Development Fund (cash carried forward) RESOLUTION NO. 13-16 (BA #63) (b) Resolution amending FY 2013 Budget, General Fund (modifications to State Homeland Security Grant) RESOLUTION NO. 13-17 (BA #64) (c) Budget Transfer: Airport Enterprise Fund (bid award to Bill Smith Electric for construction of remote overnight apron high mast lighting), BT-13-17 (d) Budget Transfer: Capital Outlay Construction Fund (final phase installation of fire sprinkler system at County Jail), BT-13-18 January 22, 2013 -3- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners  7. Growth Management: Authorization to advertise for public hearing Federal Transit Administration Program Section 5307 Program of Projects for FY 2013 8. Public Safety: Approval of and authorization for Chairman to execute CenturyLink maintenance agreement for 9-1-1 equipment software support at all Okaloosa Public Safety Answering Points 9. Public Works: Request from City of Fort Walton Beach for assistance in providing ten truckloads of clay for softball and baseball diamonds 10. Economic Development Council: Acceptance of Part Time Employee Conversion Formula 11. Growth Management: Update on changes to OEA grant amounts 12. Request from Emerald Bay Development Corporation for traffic law enforcement on privately-maintained roads in Emerald Bay 13. Airports: Approval of and authorization for Chairman to execute contract amendment with ERMC for preventative maintenance services for passenger loading bridges at Northwest Florida Regional Airport 14. Public Works: Approval of and authorization for Chairman to execute contract renewal with Florida Department of Corrections for inmate labor for the Parks Department 15. Public Works: Approval of and authorization for Chairman to execute Household Hazardous Waste Cooperative Arrangement Grant Agreement with Florida Department of Environmental Protection 16. Public Works: Approval of and authorization for Chairman to execute Grant of Easement for Niceville Landfill which will replace former lease agreement with Eglin Air Force Base 17. Growth Management: Approval of and authorization for Chairman to execute 2009/10 SHIP Annual Report for Closeout and Interim 2010/11 and 2011/12 reports and associated certifications 5 yeas. SHERIFF’S OFFICE – CONTINUED DISCUSSION CONCERNING SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS Mr. Amunds announced for the record that he met with Superintendent of Schools Mary Beth Jackson on Thursday, January 10, to discuss ways of working together regarding the issue of funding School Resource Officers (SROs). Subsequently, he met with Major J. D. Peacock of the Sheriff’s Department on Thursday, January 17, and it was decided the best way to address January 22, 2013 -4- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners the issue is for the Board, School District and Sheriff to work together. He suggested consideration be given to formation of a working group consisting of a representative of the Sheriff’s Office, the School District, and himself as Chairman of the Board to come up with suggestions/solution. Sheriff Larry Ashley stated that he is passionate about this subject and about public safety. He pointed out the School Board voted to approve the funding for 26 positions added to the elementary schools. Sheriff Ashley noted that Mr. Windes is the liaison commissioner to the Sheriff’s Office and he was invited to attend a meeting with the School Board, Sheriff, and their attorneys. He commented there is a working group already in place. Sheriff Ashley termed this a stop-gap measure, not a permanent solution. He said he has received emails asking why retirees or volunteers are not used to fill these positions. The Sheriff replied those two groups have not stepped up and offered to participate. He said the Sheriff’s Posse has increased from 45 to 115 volunteers but he has lost 39 officers and the budget has been cut by 20%. Continuing, Sheriff Ashley said he is not sure he can backfill the 26 positions by the end of the year. First, he will use $300,000 from the Federal Equitable Sharing Fund and said he is not sure if he will have to ask the County for funding assistance. However, he is asking for a commitment from the Board that SROs are important and are needed. (At the previous meeting, the Sheriff asked for funding in the amount of $265,198.) Sheriff Ashley stated when it comes to trying to determine how many deputies he needs, he believes he is in a better position to make that call. He said, “It gets down to ‘Do you trust me?’.” Mr. Amunds stated he would like to throw out a few things for discussion. He said currently the SROs are funded through the General Fund through the end of the school year. Mr. Amunds believed the issue is about backfilling positions and looking at future funding for SROs. He asked if consideration can be given to hiring full-time or part-time people with no benefits. Mr. Amunds commented there are many retired officers who would like a secondary income. He asked if consideration can be given to using SROs for the Junior Deputy Program. January 22, 2013 -5- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Sheriff Ashley reiterated that 39 officers have been let go and violent crimes are going up in our area. With regard to the SROs when school is out of session during the summer, he said they are used for Summer School and to assist with increased tourists activities (for example, at the beaches). Mr. Amunds stated this issue is not just about security in the schools but providing a role model for students. He said if we are looking at saving money, all options must be on the table. Mr. Amunds noted that Mr. Windes has talked about providing the funding the Sheriff is asking for on a month-to-month basis. Mr. Windes said this is a stop-gap measure and not a long-term solution. He shared his concern about the void which is left on the streets by pulling officers from the Traffic Unit and Street Crimes Unit and putting them in