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

Mr. Hofstad says his crews cannot help, they will pull money from the second phase of the project (lighting) for the construction. Mr. Amunds stated maybe the county could assist with the lighting phase. Mr. Curry observed this is a good project but asked the Board to keep in mind there are tons of community projects out there. He said the county works with the School Board often to set light poles at ballparks. Mr. Curry stated staff has a narrowly defined limit of what it brings to the Board for consideration. He cautioned the commissioners they could become bombarded with requests. Mr. John Hofstad, Public Works Director, said his concerns are like those also expressed by the Board. He pointed out the requests for assistance have increased, mentioning paving requests from the City of Fort Walton Beach and sidewalks in Bluewater Bay. Mr. Hofstad said Mr. Huff has a fast-tracked schedule for development of this facility. He stated it is not a monetary concern ($27,500 cost to county) but a scheduling issue. Mr. Windes stated it is a matter of priorities and roads in North County are more important than this. He added that he would love to help but the Board has only certain resources to work with. Mr. Amunds said the Board may not be able to help in the construction phase but perhaps could help with the lighting. Mr. Harris felt the Board could be setting a dangerous precedent. Mr. Boyles stated the Board has an obligation to its March 19, 2013 -16- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners citizens. He referred to the various requests and said some items are a matter of public safety, such as sidewalks at Bluewater Bay. Mr. Boyles said this group is bringing money and asking for help. Mr. Amunds commented that he does not want to be the reason for slowing the project and believes the county may be able to help more later in the project rather than on the front end. He told Mr. Huff not to count on the county to get to provide assistance at the beginning of construction. Mr. Huff replied they will have to go to Plan B. Mr. Parisot made motion to disapprove the request. Mr. Boyles did not think it was necessary to have a negative motion. VISITOR – JIM VEST, MID-BAY BRIDGE AUTHORITY, 2013 LEGISLATION Mr. Jim Vest, Executive Director of the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority, stated he would like to speak to the Board about 2013 Legislation, specifically Sections 26 and 27 of Senate Bill 1132. He explained that Section 26 creates the Regional Tollway Authority Act and creates three regional tollway authorities. One is the Okaloosa-Bay Regional Tollway Authority, serving Okaloosa, Walton and Bay Counties. Section 27 transfers the governance and control of the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority to the Okaloosa-Bay Regional Tollway Authority. Mr. Vest stated the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority opposes this legislation and asked the Board’s support to oppose SB1132. Mr. Harris asked how many toll roads are currently included in the three-county area and answered his own question by saying “none.” He stated the proposed legislation would take the money from the Mid-Bay Bridge, generated in Okaloosa County, and would then spend it over the three-county area. Mr. Parisot said if not for the relationship of the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority and the U.S. Air Force many of the connector roads would not have gotten done. He expressed concern about the current phases of construction if the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority were to be dissolved. Mr. Parisot pointed out both the Authority and the Board sent resolutions opposing this legislation last year. He recommended a similar resolution be placed on the April 2 agenda for consideration. Mr. Vest said this legislation was introduced in the Transportation Committee. He outlined the steps the bill has moved through so far. Mr. Vest stated there are three more steps, including the Budget Subcommittee for Transportation and March 19, 2013 -17- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Tourism. He noted the proposed House companion bill does not include Sections 26 and 27. Mr. Parisot asked for this item to be put on our State lobbyists’ radar, as well as that of the FAC’s lobbyists. Mr. Curry advised a resolution will be drafted for the next meeting and this issue will be added to the Legislative Priorities List. TOURIST DEVELOPMENT – USE OF TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX TO HELP FUND EMERGENCY DREDGING OF ENTRANCE TO DESTIN HARBOR Mr. Daniel O’Byrne, Tourist Development Director, stated he has received a request from Destin Mayor Sarah “Sam” Seevers for Board assistance in the amount of $180,000 in Tourist Development Tax funds for emergency dredging of the entrance to Destin Harbor. Mayor Seevers’ letter (distributed to the commissioners during the meeting) stated staff and legal counsel believe it would be appropriate to take these funds from the first percentage point of the Tourist Development Tax. Mr. O’Byrne stated if approved, Special Counsel Greg Stewart will be asked to draft an interlocal agreement with Destin for consideration at a future date. Mayor Seevers pointed out the area proposed for dredging on a navigational map, stressing it is dangerous navigating the harbor. She underscored the serious economic impact of the fishing fleet being unable to get out of the harbor. Mayor Seevers referred to a study conducted in 2000 which showed the harbor fishing fleet contributed $317 Million to the economy. She said the emergency solution is to dredge the affected area to the maximum allowable by permit which is 12,000 cubic yards of sand. Estimated cost for the project is more than $200,000. Mayor Seevers stated the City is requesting a contribution from the county of $180,000 and the City will contribute the remainder. Mayor Seevers also advised the Board that the City is in the process of applying for a permit to protect Norriego Point. She emphasized they will not quit until Norriego Point is stabilized. Mr. Harris commented that is not just a Destin issue. He asked for the projected cost of the project. Mayor Seevers replied the original application submitted by the City is for $7 Million to $9 Million. The first phase would be to harden the point. Upon inquiry by Mr. Parisot, Mayor Seevers answered the dredge materials will be placed on Norriego Point. March 19, 2013 -18- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Parisot asked Mayor Seevers if the City will agree to apply for a grant to the Gulf Tourism Seafood Program to parallel the county’s application for reef deployments. The Mayor replied she will put the item on the City Council’s next meeting agenda for consideration. Mr. Boyles encouraged working toward a final solution. Mr. Windes stated the scheme to stabilize Norriego Point has been presented as a “once and for all.” He felt there would still be a need for a maintenance program and added that you cannot defeat Mother Nature. Mr. Windes made motion, seconded by Mr. Parisot, to approve the use of up to $180,000 of first penny tourist development tax for the emergency dredging of the Destin Harbor entrance and associated engineering costs and to authorize Special Counsel to draft an interlocal agreement with the City of Destin. Mr. Dave Sherry, Okaloosa Island, stated he is not present to oppose providing assistance with the dredging. He referred to a Board action in 2010 whereby the county gave the city Norriego Point on the premise the city would harden the Point. Mr. Sherry said hundreds of cubic yards of sand have been pumped onto Norriego Point, wondering if any of it is still there. He felt the Board should make it clear this dredging each year cannot continue. The vote was taken on the motion—5 yeas. Upon inquiry by Mr. Windes, Mayor Seevers stated the City Council did adopt a Declaration of Emergency for the East Pass last night. He asked if it would be helpful to have support from the county on that issue. Upon inquiry by Mr. Amunds, Mr. Dowd said he believes the Board can direct staff to draft a letter to that effect. Mr. Windes made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to prepare a letter of support for the emergency situation at East Pass. 5 yeas. Mayor Seevers thanked the commissioners for their support on this item and for “bigger issues.” She remarked the county has been navigating some rough waters the last couple of months and she supports what the Board is doing to move forward. Recess – The meeting was recessed at 12:17 p.m. and reconvened at 1:25 p.m. March 19, 2013 -19- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL Mr. Harris stated he would like to discuss Item #1. Mr. Boyles asked for Item #3 to be taken up separately. Mr. Curry reported Item #23 for Growth Management regarding a final payment to the University of Florida for site assessment and design of an unmanned air and ground test facility has been removed from the agenda. Mr. Parisot said he would like to discuss Items #16 and #25. Mr. Windes stated he would like to talk about Item #19, a resolution supporting the designation of a portion of the Mid- Bay Bridge Connector as the “Walter Francis Spence Parkway.” He commended Mr. Spence for being a pillar of the community for so many years and made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to approve the item, adopting the resolution as outlined. 5 yeas. RESOLUTION NO. 13-48 Item #16: Minutes of January 22, 2013 and February 5, 2013. Mr. Parisot referred to the discussion on Page 22 of the January 22, 2013 Minutes regarding appointment of a new county representative to the Okaloosa Gas District Board of Directors. He recommended the motion specifying the requirements for the appointment to be corrected by adding the phrase “and are a customer of Okaloosa Gas.” Mr. Boyles stated that was his motion and asked Mr. Parisot if he reviewed the tape. Mr. Parisot replied in the affirmative. Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Boyles, to correct the January 22, 2013 Minutes as outlined above. 5 yeas. Item #25: Request from Authentic Entertainment to film a Cheerleading Team participating in the WSA Beach Nationals Cheerleading competition to be held at the Boardwalk on March 23 and 24, 2013. Upon inquiry by Mr. Parisot, Mr. Dowd stated he recommended the release provision be deleted from the document. Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Boyles, approve the document, deleting the subject paragraph (paragraph #4) regarding release of materials. 5 yeas. Item #23: Mr. Amunds reiterated this item has been removed. Item #1: Resolution supporting a trauma center in Okaloosa County. Upon inquiry by Mr. Harris, Public Safety Director Dino Villani stated a change in the appointment of trauma centers within Trauma Service Area 1 would allow for the addition of a Trauma Center in Okaloosa County. The nearest center is in March 19, 2013 -20- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Pensacola. It is hopeful that if the change is made, it would allow the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center to become another trauma center. Mr. Villani noted that helicopters were unavailable for transport of trauma victims more than 100 times last year. Mr. Harris made motion, seconded by Mr. Windes, to adopt the resolution as presented. 5 yeas. RESOLUTION NO. 13-49 Item #3: Approval of Amendment No. 4 to lease with Aero FX dba Emerald Coast Aviation at Bob Sikes Airport. Mr. Boyles asked for this item to be handled separately. He advised that his wife is employed by the entity in question and while neither he nor his wife will benefit from this vote, he will abstain to avoid the appearance of