Okaloosa County BOCC — November 4, 2012 — Minutes — reading text

review and payment. The work has been field verified and staff agrees with the work which has been completed. Sufficient dollars remaining in the FY 2011-12 budget to pay the total amount of the invoice. Due to the timing of the approved striping list and the contractor’s workload, not all of the list was completed. Those roads remaining on the 11ist will be completed in FY 2012-13. Gulf Coast Traffic Engineers was approved as the low bidder for road striping projects for FY 2012-13. Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Boyles, to approve the explanation. 5 yeas. PUBLIC WORKS - INFORMATION ITEM REGARDING EXPANSION OF EBNHANCED RECYCLING SERVICE Mr. Hofstad stated currently the county has a 2-1-1 program (two trash, 1 recycling, 1 yard waste pickups per week). A pilot program for enhanced recycling services (referred to as 1-1-1 program) has run since February in the Shalimar area. He termed the pilot project as “largely successful.” Mr. Harris noted only 20% of the the pilot program participants responded to the survey. Mr. Hofstad stated the majority of those responding were in favor or supportive. November 20, 2012 -17- Minute Book 68, Page 62 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Hofstad reported staff is currently working with Waste Management about restructuring an amendment to the contract that would be in the best long-term interest for citizens. He advised Waste Management wants additional time to review the data. Mr. Hofstad was hopeful that he could bring back additional information by the second meeting in December and this item could be resolved once and for all. Mr. Amunds asked a series of questions: 1. How much additional revenue will be brought in if the program is implemented countywide? 2. Can that revenue be used to offset the purchase of the trashcans? 3. Will there be a reduction in rates? 4. Are there options for citizens who would have trouble with moving the larger trashcans around? Mr. Hofstad stated residents can notify Waste Management if they have problems and arrangements can be made for the drivers to provide assistance. Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Boyles for discussion, to extend the pilot program in the Shalimar area until the end of December. Mr. Boyles noted this issue is not as simple as comparing apples to apples. The disposal of garbage is a regional issue. The vote was taken on the motion to extend the enhanced recycling pilot program in Shalimar until the end of December—5 yeas. OLD BUSINESS - VOLUNTEER DUNE PLANTING Mr. Dave Sherry, Okaloosa Island, stated the Volunteer Dune Planting event held earlier this year was the biggest yet, planting 20,000 sea oats. He said they hope to expand the 2013 event and plant 100,000 sea oats. Mr. Sherry stated sponsors are already signing up and their group has applied for a NRDA grant. Efforts are being made to coordinate with the county’s Okaloosa Island Dune Flora Restoration Project. He said if $40,000 in bed tax dollars can be contributed for the purchase of these 100,000 plants, the volunteers will be able to plant 1% miles on Okaloosa Island. Mr. Sherry said the condo alliance would provide the labor and permit for free. Mr. Sherry said he and his wife met with county staff and consulting engineer and they are concerned about volunteers being on the dunes after the county project is completed. November 20, 2012 -18- Minute Book 68, Page 63 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Likewise, they are concerned if the volunteer event occurs prior to commencement of the county project there could be damage by the contractor employees stepping on the sea oats planted by the volunteers. Mr. Sherry advised they could lose their sponsors if they stop now and if the plants are damaged by the contractor, it is a chance they will have to take. Continuing, Mr. Sherry said another concern is the county project has been delayed until April or May 2013. He felt this is late for planting and stated the turtle nesting season begins May 1. Mr. Sherry stated they do not want to be the cause for delaying the county project. He said the issue is whether or not the county wants to make TDC funds available for the purchase of the sea oats. Mr. Amunds stated the county does want to encourage volunteers and said perhaps there is a way for the contract to carve out an area for them to plant. He said the county is not just going to hand over $40,000 to the condo alliance and any distribution of county funds would have to go through the purchasing process. Mr. Sherry replied it was their intent to go through Purchasing Department and the county could send the check directly to the supplier. Mr. Parisot expressed concern about going from Seaspray Condominium to El Matador. He said the first option is not to have the volunteer planting in 2013. Mr. Parisot stated if a section of the project is carved out for volunteer planting, then a letter should be received from those beachfront properties saying they want the volunteer planting. He pointed out the plants to be used by the volunteers are inferior in size to the ones to be purchased for the county project. Mr. Jim Trifilio, Coastal Management Coordinator, stressed that staff would never be against any volunteer efforts. He said the Coastal Engineer for the project would have to sign off on the engineering design and this could cause a delay in the county’s Dune Flora Restoration Project. Mr. Trifilio also cited concern about the use of inferior plants. Mr. Matt Trammel, coastal engineer with Taylor Engineering, advised there are a number of issues. He said he is tasked with developing contract drawings and carving out a section to be planted with inferior plants will increase the difficulty of the job for the contractor. This could lead to an increase in costs and time for the project. Setting aside portions for volunteer November 20, 2012 -19- Minute Book 68, Page 64 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners planting would require additional surveys, pre-construction meetings, and time to flag off those areas. Mr. Trammel stated it would be necessary to verify the volunteer plantings were done according to specifications before the contractor comes out and plants. He said, “I must certify. We are looking at more work.” Mr. Amunds asked Mr. Trammel for his recommendation. Mr. Trammel said they want to provide an opportunity for everyone. He said perhaps the volunteers could supplement the contractor by doing plantings on the upland areas. Mr. Harris stated it 1s great the volunteers want to provide this assistance but pointed out the jeopardy it puts on the engineer because he must sign off on the work. Mr. Amunds noted the Board must provide direction and he feels the state-funded project should be the priority. Mr. Harris concurred that the professionals should do the work. Mr. Boyles added the volunteer planting event is noble but the $1 Million project needs to move on unimpeded. He said perhaps funds can be made available in 2014 for the volunteer event. Mr. Parisot stated he fully agrees with Mr. Boyles, saying we do not need to do anything to delay this State/County partnership. Mr. Windes echoed Mr. Parisot's comments. Mr. Curry confirmed the Girection of the Board is for the county to proceed with the county project and work with the volunteers for an after-project event. PUBLIC COMMENTARY Mr. Brance Parker commended the volunteers desiring to assist with the dune planting but said the risks could throw the project into disarray. He felt delaying the volunteer planting event wasS appropriate. Mr. Trip Tolbert stated his issues regarding the volunteer plantings were addressed during the discussion. He welcomed Mr. Boyles and Mr. Windes and said he believes this will be one of the best functioning Boards the county has ever had. November 20, 2012 -20- Minute Book 68, Page 65 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:08 a.m. DON W. HOWARD DON R. AMUNDS, CHAIRMAN CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (These minutes were transcribed by Teresa Ward.) November 20, 2012 ~21- Minute Book 68, Page 66 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners