Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 08-28-2007 regular agenda — reading text

Manager commented when an agreement has been worked out with the OCDC to operate the CDBG program it will be brought to Council for approval. Mr. Minich moved to accept the CCBG budget as presented. Mr. Reeves seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. 62 Special Council Meeting 8- 9- 07 CRA Review of the CRA budget included the Capital Improvement projects that will be funded with carry- over money, the new Capital Improvement projects funded out of the 07/ 08 budget, and the per cost allocation transfer to the General Fund. It was suggested that the CRA fund ;should contribute to the payment of the Utility Bond issue to upgrade the infrastructure since a new water tower is in the CRA area. The CDS Director explained the water tower serves more than the CRA area and the criteria to be 0 funded from the CRA is it has to be included within the CRA Plan, it cannot be included within the City budget within the last three years, and it has to further the redevelopment of the CRA. She verified that the budget is a plan and can be needed the adjusted as during year. During further review there was an objection expressed on the amount budgeted for the LED Street Name Signs and further expressed it should be deleted and applied to essential needs. Review also included explanations that the City is waiting on the cost from Gulf Power on the Eglin Underground Utility project; that an engineering firm will be hired to prepare the design and technical construction drawings for the Mainstreet Streetscape; and that the LED Street Name Signs are over major intersections, very readable and distinguishable, and dress up the streetscape. It was questioned whether the City has control over the cross- walks on Highway 98 and whether it could be considered to place visual count down signs for the hearing impaired or audible signs for the seeing impaired. The CDS Director acknowledged staff could talk with the Department of Transportation about the CRA potentially funding that project if they were willing to approve it. During review there was further explanation that $ 139, 000 has been earmarked for' sidewalks to carryover for next year; and that the City is waiting for a firm dollar amount from Gulf Power to underground utilities on Eglin before it is brought to Council to determine whether or not to move forward. Mr. Minich moved to approve the CRA budget as presented. Mr. Hartwell seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. PUBLIC WORKS Review of the Public Works Department/Engineering, Fleet Maintenance, Service Maintenance, Streets Maintenance, Right- of-Way Maintenance, and the Cemetery Divisions budget included the pavement management process, reduction in the custodial contract services, purchase of a mower for the cemetery, purchase of equipment for the ~ Sanitation Fund, and the companion LED Signs project under Street Maintenance to provide well lit lights at major intersections to assist with maneuverability and circulation of : traffic. There was some question on recycling cost. The Public Works Director explained the City does not pay a tipping fee for recyclables which currently go to Waste Management but they will not identify what is done with the materials. He explained even if the City were to pay the fee and cancel the recycling operations, the City would still come out ahead because the recycling operation costs the City money.  Special Council Meeting 8- 9- 07 63 PUBLIC WORKS cont. Mr. Miller called a point of order to recommend discussion on Public Works should be completed before moving on to the Sanitation Fund. Further review of the Public Works budget included the asphalt costs, the deletion of the aerial photo & planimetry drawings, and the commercial grade, heavy duty industrial weed eater purchases for the cemetery. Mr. Minich moved to accept the Public Works General Fund budget as presented. Mr. Holmes seconded motion and it carried u'hanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. Sanitation Fund During discussion on the merits of continuing or discontinuing the recycling function, the Public Works Director pointed out there will be capital outlay expenditures for recycling in future years for the replacement of equipment, and went over the cost of the recycling and the cost savings if the recycling function and three of the four positions were eliminated. Kabe Woods, 240 Brooks Street, received clarification that the residential and commercial tipping fee revenues reflected the annual current year revenues plus approximately 3% increase. He also commented recycling only works if it is forced and mentioned there are vending machines available that will payout for recycled items. " Mr. Minich moved to remove the recycling portion ofthe Sanitation Fund, terminating the recycling collection fee, and approve the remainder of the budget as presented: Mr. Garvie seconded motion. The City Manager requested latitude to move the employees Mr. Minich moved to amend the motion to eliminate the recycling program, terminating the recycling collection fee, and to allow the City Manager the discretion or latitude to move the employees over a period of four months, and to approve the remainder of the Sanitation Fund budget as presented. Mr. Garvie accepted the amendment. During further discussion on the elimination of the recycling function it was mentioned that an explanation be given to the citizens that the reason it is being eliminated is because it is not cost effective and the city is losing money on the operation. Mr. Miller moved to amend the motion to say "effective October 1, 2007." Motion died for lack of a second. 1 The Mayor called for the vote on the motion, as arnended, to eliminate the recycling program, terminating the recycling collection fee, and to allow the City Manager the discretion or latitude to move the employees over a period of four months, and to approve the remainder of the Sanitation Fund budget as presented and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. RECESS The meeting recessed at 8: 20 p. m. 64 Special Council Meeting 8- 9- 07 RECONVENE The meeting reconvened at 8: 30 p. m. UTILITIES FUND Review ofthe Utilities DepartmentJWater Operations, Sewer Operations, Water Distribution, Sewer Collection, and Storm Water Division budgets included the study to analyze the water and sewer rates, and the bond issue for upgrades to the waste water plant. The Utilities Director explained the design plans are approximately 95% complete, there will be a little over $4 million left on the bond issue and it is e~ timated an additional $ 8 million may be needed for the improvements to the plant. He pointed outthere is still the issue to clear , up on the operating permit before they can go any further. 0 Mr. Holmes moved to accept the Utilities Fund budget as presented. Mr. Miller seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. RECESS The meeting recessed for the evening at 9: 30 p. m. to continue on Monday, August 13 at 5: 30 p. m. APPROVED: MAYOR: ATTEST: CITY CLERK ddm  75 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 13, 2007 INTRODUCTION A Special Council Meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was held on Monday, August 13, 2007, at 5: 30 p. m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, with the following members present: l Mayor Mike Anderson Councilmen: Mike Holmes, Virgil Miller, Dennis Reeves, Bill Garvie, Dr. Wayne Pullen, Jim Hartwell, and Mike Minich Absent: Jim Hartwell Also Present: Joyce Shanahan, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Lisa Absher, Finance Director; and Department Directors. CALL TO ORDER/RECONVENE The Mayor called the meeting to order for the purpose of reviewing and disc;ussing the proposed 2007/ 08 budget. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Mayor led in the Pledge of Allegiance. RECAP Charlotte Dunworth, Budget/Grants Manager, gave a recap of the changes to the budget based on the decisions made by Council the past two meetings. Adjustments include a decrease in the General Fund ($ 97, 000); a decrease in the Law Enforcement Training Fund ($ 286. 00); no net change in the CRA Fund; a decrease in the Utilities Fund 45, 000); a decrease in the Sanitation Fund ($ 3, 000); and no net change in the Golf Fund. Mr. Minich questioned the increase of $ 9, 000 in the budget, stating it was his understanding the budget would be reduced with the elimination of the recycling program. The City Manager explained that the tipping fees for recycling tonnage had to be increased. The Finance Director further clarified that in future years there will be a savings by not having to use the recycling equipment. The City Manager wanted to ensure Council was made aware of this increase. Mr. Minich stated all that should have been factored in when it was discussed. J PRESENTATION OF OUTSIDE AGENCY FUNDING REQUSTS EDC Larry Sassano, President of the Economic Development Council (EDC), highlighted some of the activities that the EDC has been involved with that effect the City, including the Florida Defense Infrastructure Grant to continue the water