Okaloosa County BOCC — May 17, 2013 — March 19 Regular — reading text

consultant and resulted in approval by the City. Mr. Kampert reported three persons spoke at the Planning Commission hearing and expressed their concerns about ingress and egress, increased traffic, and reduction of setbacks. He advised staff has no objections to the proposed changes. Ms. Darlene Landsberger, representing the Regatta Bay Owners Association, came forward and read a letter from the Board of Directors of the subject association. The letter stated the developer’s agent Tom Patton had presented a summary proposal to the Board of Directors on March 15. It is their understanding the proposal is for a change of use and there is no specific development yet identified. They wished to communicate their concern on impact of traffic to the entrance of their community. Ms. Landsberger requested the homeowners association be included in all future development discussions. Mr. Tom Patton, agent for owner/developer, gave a brief history of the PUD. He noted that about 18 months ago a hotel developer expressed interest in constructing a Hyatt Place on the property but the deal fell apart because the existing land use would not permit a hotel. Mr. Patton said Mr. Guidry sees a real need for a quality businessman’s hotel with offices next door and has requested the above changes to accommodate this need. He stated they will solicit for a franchise. Mr. Patton stated HP from Tallahassee was asked to look at the land use without added traffic, noting they will also be asking for an additional curb cut at this site. He confirmed that prior to a project, they will have a full operation study conducted and will return to the Board with a full-blown analysis. Upon inquiry by Mr. Windes, Mr. Kampert stated it is unusual to request a full operational analysis on the front end. It is typically required at the time a Development Order is requested. Mr. Windes made motion, seconded by Mr. Parisot, to amend the Regatta Bay PUD Master Plan as advertised. 5 yeas. March 19, 2013 -11- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners PUBLIC HEARING – AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 07-12, OKALOOSA COUNTY BUSINESS TAX ORDINANCE (9:00 A.M.) Mr. Stanford read the advertised legal notice for public hearing to consider amending Ordinance No. 07-12, known as the Okaloosa County Business Tax Ordinance. Mr. Dowd reported this advertisement was made in accordance with Board instruction for the purpose of changing the annual business tax rate for all businesses to $35, beginning July 1, 2013. Existing businesses with a rate of $12.50 per year or less will be grandfathered in to receive a business tax rate of $25. These tax rates shall be increased by 5% every other year until the annual rate reaches $35 per year. Mr. Dowd stated the public hearing is advertised for today but Statutes require the proposed ordinance be read twice. He noted final action on the amendment will be delayed until the next meeting. No one from the public came forward to speak. Mr. Parisot commented that it will take 14 years for those businesses with a rate of $12.50 or lower to be brought up to the $35 rate. He asked if consideration can be given to grandfathering them at $25 or make changes every year to the rate. Mr. Amunds stated he favors everyone having the same rate and agrees with the Statutes. Mr. Parisot noted that he drafted an alternate ordinance and submitted it to Mr. Dowd. He said his version requires itinerant vendors to obtain a $35 business tax receipt. Mr. Harris asked if Mr. Parisot wants a vendor to pay $35 for a one-day event. Mr. Parisot replied that is what the Equity Study Commission recommended. Mr. Harris termed that “onerous.” Mr. Amunds asked Mr. Parisot if he is requesting everyone, regardless of where they are from, needs to purchase a $35 permit for the year. Mr. Parisot’s response was for the fiscal year. Mr. Ben Anderson, Tax Collector, stated Josh Allen is very knowledgeable on this subject. It is their interpretation the ordinance, as it reads, is that all people conducting business are under an obligation to obtain a business tax receipt. He said itinerant vendors are no different. Mr. Anderson noted his March 19, 2013 -12- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners office sells event sponsor licenses that cover everyone. He was hopeful they could funnel everything through event sponsors. Mr. Anderson stated that requiring each itinerant vendor to purchase a permit could be difficult and challenging. Mr. Harris said if the sponsor purchases an event permit, the individual vendors do not have to worry about an individual permit. Upon inquiry by Mr. Harris, Mr. Allen stated it is a statutory requirement to display the business tax receipt/permit. Mr. Harris pointed out that typically a vendor must pay to have a booth for an event and questioned the expenses imposed on the vendor. Mr. Boyles said, “I think we are getting buried in the weeds on the itinerant tax thing.” He stated he supports the proposed amendment as written. Mr. Boyles added that the last thing we need to do is send someone around with a clipboard at events to collect a $35 fee. Mr. Harris once again said he likes buying a license for everyone at an event, noting we are trying to be business friendly and he thought that was the intent of changing the Business Tax Ordinance. He added this was never meant to be a fundraiser. Mr. Amunds closed the public hearing. Mr. Dowd stated the second reading of the proposed ordinance will be at the next meeting. VISITOR – CANDY HANSARD, EMERALD COAST REEF ASSOCIATION Ms. Candy Hansard, Vice President and Reef Deployment Director of the Emerald Coast Reef Association, made a presentation on the economic impact of artificial reefs. She listed the environmental, community, and economic benefits of these reefs. An example of economic impact was provided with regard to the sinking of the U.S.S. Oriskany. Ms. Hansard said according to the HAAS Research Center, the Oriskany brought in $2.2 Million the first year after deployment. She said more than $1.2 Million was spent on dive trips alone. Ms. Hansard spoke about NOAA’s Passport Program to promote diving along the Florida Panhandle called Panhandle Ship Wreck Trail. She shared her vision of promoting the Emerald Coast for economic prosperity. Her ideas included the creation of a UFO- like reef in Choctawhatchee Bay for diving and snorkeling. The March 19, 2013 -13- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners reef would use solar lighting and be called “Out of this World.” Another was called “The Cathedral” and would not only be for diving and snorkeling but underwater weddings. Ms. Hansard encouraged the Board to maximize our resources by creating reefs in State waters. Ms. Hansard recommended the creation of a Marine Economic Advisory Committee. Mr. Amunds explained the county already has an economic council component in the Tourist Development Council. He told Ms. Hansard she may want to become involved in that committee. When Ms. Hansard asked if the county would support a Marine Economic Advisory Committee, Mr. Amunds again stated the county already has a committee. She then asked, “Can you help us get more revenues?” Mr. Amunds directed Ms. Hansard to speak with the Public Works Director about the county’s reef program. Mr. John Hofstad, Public Works Director, stated the county currently has already submitted six permit applications for reefs in State waters. He pointed out several of them have been sitting in the Corps of Engineers Office for more than one year. Mr. Hofstad said we are at the mercy of regulatory agencies. Mr. Jim Robertson, International Game Fishing Association, thanked Ms. Hansard for her efforts. He said he represents recreational anglers and there is more return on the dollar for deploying reefs in State waters. VISITOR – REAGAN HUFF, EAGLE RAM TENNIS CENTER COMMITTEE, REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE Mr. Reagan Huff, Construction Committee Chairman for Eagle Ram Tennis Center, stated more than one year ago parents and coaches from Niceville High School and Ruckel Middle School came together to launch a program to build tennis courts. He stated the School Board has approved the project and land is available at Ruckel Middle School. The proposal is to build eight tennis courts and to work with USGA to make certain they are compliant. The tennis center will be a joint-use facility for the schools in the district and for the community. Mr. Huff stated $80,000 in private donations has been received and another $90,000 has been raised. He said the City of Niceville has agreed to demolish the existing building and to install conduit for lighting. March 19, 2013 -14- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Matt Parker, Shalimar, stated the center will be opened to the public during non-school hours. He reiterated they are looking at constructing eight strongly built courts for a top notch facility. The committee is seeking assistance from the Public Works Department to perform the following work: • rough in retention ponds, fill areas, tennis court area, and founder’s brick area • top dressing soccer fields with excess materials • install equalizer pipe in retention basins (pipe provided by others) • compaction of subgrade • installation of aggregate base (aggregate provided by others) • compaction of aggregate base Mr. Amunds stated the county likes partnerships but noted the county has several ongoing projects. He asked if it is possible for the School Board to be responsible for spreading the base and to supply manpower. Mr. Huff stated he is certain Bill Smith (School Board) will do what he can because it is a school project. (NOTE: The agenda request provided Public Works staff information. The report stated this request will take two or three staff members working approximately five weeks and will impact scheduling of other project commitments. The total cost for the county’s efforts is estimated at $27,500.) Mr. Harris remarked that he has 207 miles of dirt roads in his district and as much as he would like to help, his priority is infrastructure and not amenities. He noted there also appears to be some money involved. Mr. Harris said he was once told by a former county engineer, “there is only so much money and so many people.” Mr. Boyles stated he too has a lot of dirt roads. He pointed out that later on the agenda is a request from the City of Laurel Hill for assistance in repaving roads. Mr. Boyles said the Road Department is stretched thin and there should be a clear understanding county projects come first. He stated that could be an inhibitor. Mr. Parisot said they are requesting “front-end stuff” and if the county cannot do it, it will delay the project. He told Mr. March 19, 2013 -15- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Huff the committee may need to talk with a contractor and come up with another $27,500 for him to do the work. Mr. Parisot was of the opinion the group has other resources and stressed this is School Board property. He too felt it was inappropriate to take the county crews off priority projects. Mr. Huff commented the group will deal with the delay. Mr. Harris stated now he gets telephone calls about prioritizing of roads and asked if anyone could imagine what it would be like when people hear road crews have been taken off road projects to work on tennis courts. His response to the request was “not at this time.” Mr. Amunds said the Board could take the request with no date and no funds at this time. Mr. Huff said if they get to the point for grading and base work and