Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 08-24-2010 Regular — reading text

options for use of the property and return to the City Council with them at the October 26, 2010 meeting. Mr. Holmes seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, gossom, Reeves, Minich, and Rynearson in favor (Nabors absent; Seat 6 vacant). CODE ENFORCEMENT LIEN —217 -A MIRACLE STRIP PARKWAY SW Petitioner seeks to have a code enforcement lien reduced more than the mitigation schedule amount. Tim Bolduc, Building Official, reported there have been 19 code violations on the property since 1999 and two of the three cases that occurred in the last two years currently have outstanding fines in the amount of $23, 300 and fees in the amount of $975. He reported the property was found in compliance of all outstanding violations on June 8, 2010 and continues to remain in compliance. He said staff requests Council follow the mitigation strategy for a release of lien with payment of $6, 990 for the outstanding fines and $ 975 for the outstanding administrative fees. John Dowd, Jr., attorney for the property owner, went over the mitigating circumstances brought on by the tenant who was in possession of the property during the time the code violations occurred. He provided Council a copy of the Notice of Violation and a copy of the Affidavit of Service and said his client was not served with those notices. He requested Council waive the fine imposed against Surti Investments in its entirety. The Mayor opened the floor for public comment. Chris Gibson, 249 Brooks Street, expressed if her tenant violates the Code a letter goes to her personally because she owns the property. She said the City always sends notice to the property owner of record. There was no one further who wished to speak. The City Attorney clarified the notices are required to be sent by certified mail to the place on the tax collectors records and in almost every hearing it is verified that proper notice has been given. Mr. Holmes moved to release the lien recorded at ORB 2917 Page 853 against Surti Investments at 217 -A Miracle Strip Parkway SW for a payment of $ 6, 990. 00 for the outstanding fines and $ 975. 00 for outstanding administrative fees. Mr. Rynearson seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, gossom, Reeves, Minich, and Rynearson in favor (Nabors absent, Seat 6 vacant). LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES The Florida League of Cities has requested that the City provide its legislative priorities for the 2011 Legislative Session. The Mayor noted the Northwest Florida League of Cities is seeking input on the top three Legislative Issues they should focus on during the 2011 Legislative Session. He requested Council review the list of priorities established for 2010 and to submit their top priorities for 2011 to vote on at the next Council meeting. The Mayor opened the floor for public comment. Chris Gibson, 249 Brooks Street, suggested no more unfunded mandates from the State as a priority. No one further wished to speak. During brief discussion the preservation of Home Rule and issues regarding insurance reform, water and sewer infrastructure needs, and pension funds were mentioned as h top issues. The Mayor requested Council submit their top three priorities to the City Manager by August 19` to finalize the list at the next Council meeting. 6  Regular Council 8 - 10 - 10 CITY MANAGER REPORTS The City Manager advised that monitoring strips have been placed on Country Club Avenue for the next couple of weeks. He further advised that letters were sent to all residents on Country Club Avenue The City Manager announced the budget workshops will begin Monday, August 16 at 5: 30 pm, and continue August 17 and 18, if needed. The City Manager informed he was invited to a task force sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce to discuss economic recovery from the oil spill, and it is important to respond to a survey that will be sent to all Chamber members as it will provide the Chamber with action and direction to take on this matter. The City Manager mentioned the Reclaimed Water Master Plan Feasibility Study was on the agenda because they were informed by the State that the City qualifies for a $ 2 million dollar State Revolving Fund, and at the same time the EDC has applied for a $ 500, 000 grant. MAYOR/COUNCIL COMMENTS Ms. gossom mentioned she will speak as a Council member at the " Women' s Equality Day" at Eglin A.F.B. in August Mr. Rynearson thanked the IT Department for providing Council with laptop computers to bring them into the 21" century. He noted the laptops were recycled Police Department computers and would be put to good use by the Council. The Mayor mentioned he was invited to listen to the announcement on the Joint Strike Fighter decision; he 7th heard that the Special Forces Group has been authorized to grow by another 500 personnel; World Changers had 280 young people from various Baptist Churches around the Country come in to take care of 19 homes; he attended Matt Holt' s pinning to Police Sergeant; there is a local BP office on Miracle Strip Parkway next to Liza Jackson Park that is open to talk with anyone; he attended the memorial service for former Councilwoman Pat Thornber; and mentioned when he attends the FLC Conference in August he will probably go over the individual $ 1, 000 amount budgeted for travel and training. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8: 00 pm. APPROVED: MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK ddm Date completed: August 12, 2010 7  MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 16, 2010 INTRODUCTION A special meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was held on Monday, August 16, 2010 at 5: 00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall with the following members present: Mayor Mike Anderson Councilmen: Mike Holmes; joyce gillie gossom; Dennis Reeves; Mike Minich, Bobby Nabors; and Dick Rynearson Seat 6 Vacant Also Present: Robert Mearns, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Toni Craig, City Attorney; and Department Directors 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. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Mayor led in the Pledge of Allegiance. RESIGNATION OF CITY ATTORNEY The City Manager advised that on August 11, 2010, the City received a letter from the City Attorney announcing her resignation effective September 30, 2010. The City Manager continued that Section 3 of the City Attorney' s contract states a 90 -day resignation notice will be given and since it is less than 90 days, Council has to acknowledge the 90 -day notice is waived for a 45 -day notice. Mr. Minich moved to accept the 45 -day notice of resignation from the City Attorney Toni Craig. Mr. Nabors seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, gossom, Reeves, Minich, Nabors, and Rynearson in favor (Seat 6 vacant). PROCESS TO REPLACE CITY ATTORNEY The City Manager explained that Sec. 53 of the City Charter requires the City Council to appoint the City Attorney; since there are 45 days remaining before the departure of the present City Attorney, there is sufficient time remaining to advertise and solicit applicants for the position and conduct interviews. The City Manager informed that Staff recommends the City Council direct advertising to begin immediately to secure the services of a Florida Bar member or firm to serve as City Attorney through the Request for Information process, which will allow applications to be distributed as they are received. The City Manager continued that advertisements will be placed on the City website; the Escambia- Santa Rosa and Okaloosa -Walton Bar Associations; the Florida League of Cities Datagram; the Florida Municipal Attorney' s Association; and the Northwest Florida Daily News directing interested proposers to the City' s website. Applications will be accepted until September 8, 2010, at 2: 00 pm.  Special Council 8/ 16/ 10 PROCESS TO REPLACE CITY ATTORNEY (CONT) The City Manager concluded that special meetings will be required for the replacement process, and suggested special meetings be set for September 14th at 5: 00 pm to review and select three candidates for Council to interview, and at that time set a date for a special meeting for interviews and City Attorney selection. Staff recommends September 21 st at 5: 00 pm for interviews and selection. Council received clarification that when a new attorney is appointed they take over the duties of the City Attorney immediately, and that the current City Attorney will be available to help with the transition. The Mayor opened the public hearing. Dean Covey, 270 Brooks Street, was informed that the current City Attorney does not have a backup. Council received clarification that the position description for the City Attorney is inclusive of the City Attorney' s duties, and that the language " other duties as assigned" is included in the description. Mr. Minich moved to direct that advertising begin immediately to secure the services of a Florida Bar member or firm to serve as City Attorney through the Request for Information RFI) process; the RFI will state the duties and responsibilities of the position as well as the contract price for said services, and will be advertised on the City Website, the Escambia -Santa Rosa County Bar Association, the Okaloosa -Walton Bar Association, the Florida League of Cities Datagram, the :Florida Municipal Attorney' s Association, and an announcement in the Northwest Florida Daily News directing interested proposers to the City' s website; applications will be accepted until September 8, 2010; a Special Council meeting will be held on September 14, 2010 at 5: 00 p. m. to review and select three to interview; and a Special Council meeting will be held on September 14, 2010 at 5: 00 p. m. for interviews and City Attorney selection. Mr. Reeves seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, gossom, Reeves, Minich, Nabors, and Rynearson in favor (Seat 6 vacant). ADJOURNMENT As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5: 09 pm. APPROVED: MAYOR: ATTEST: CITY CLERK lve Date Completed: 8/ 18/ 10 0  MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FY 10 -11 OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 16, 2010 INTRODUCTION A special meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was held on Monday, August 16, 2010, at 5: 30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, with the following members present: Mayor Mike Anderson Councilmen: Mike Holmes, joyce gossom, Dennis Reeves, Mike Minich, Bobby Nabors, Dick Rynearson Seat 6 vacant Also Present: Bob Mearns, City Manager;