Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 02-28-06 workshop minutes — reading text

119 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 28, 2006 INTRODUCTION A Council Workshop Meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was held on Tuesday, February 28, 2006, at 5: 00 p. m. with the following members present: Mayor Mike Anderson Councilmen: Mike Holmes, Bill Patterson, Bob Campbell, Jim Tucker, Dr. Wayne Pullen, Jim Hartwell, and Mike Minich Also Present: Joyce Shanahan, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Finance Director Vacant); Toni Craig, City Attorney; and Department Directors. CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting to order. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Mayor led in the Pledge of Allegiance. FINANCE DIRECTOR UPDATE City Council to conduct interviews with two ( 2) candidates for the Charter Officer Position of Finance Director. Mark Wiltsie, Human Resource Director, advised that one of the finalists for the position, William Rodgers, withdrew his name from consideration. An interview was held with the Review Committee with the remaining candidate, Robert W. Gauspohl, and the consensus of the Review Committee was that his limited experience and lack of skills unique to municipal entities did not deem a recommendation to Council. Therefore, it is Staff' s recommendation that the position for Finance Director be re- advertised; that the amended job announcements include a salary range of 78, 000 to $ 88, 000 DOQ, plus benefits with relocation expenses negotiable; and a revised Recruitment Schedule. Mr. Wiltsie asked that this recommendation be considered and voted upon at the City Council meeting to follow. Council was advised letters will be sent to previous applicants informing them that the recruitment is being reopened, and that if they wish to reapply, their previous application will be reconsidered. The City Attorney clarified that since amended recommendations were presented in lieu of what was advertised, no interviews need to be conducted at this meeting. TELEPHONIC PARTICIPATION AT COUNCIL MEETINGS Discussion regarding telephonic participation at Council Meetings. Mr. Hartwell expressed the importance and need for telephonic participation at Council meetings. He advised there are no legal problems regarding telephonic participation as it is done in various municipalities in the state, and that the City has the technology needed to provide this service. it The City Attorney advised the legal issue is not whether or not it can be done; rather, how to do and how it is accomplished. She prepared a draft resolution and suggested it be done as a to how it works and to ascertain the necessity of the temporary measure for about a year see state why someone telephonic participation. The City Attorney informed the basics of the resolution would miss a meeting and the need to attend by phone conferencing, and other requirements and procedures would have to be set up by Staff, such as verifying who the person is on the telephone, and to ensure all the equipment is set to be properly recorded. 120 2/ 28/ 06 TELEPHONIC PARTICIPATION ( CONT) Discussion ensued regarding the pros and cons of telephone conferencing for the meetings; the need to miss meetings because of work or other obligations; that the Chamber is where City business is conducted; whether staff is adequately prepared and the cost of equipment; that teleconferencing would be viable if Council is scattered due to a hurricane or other event and a meeting must be held; and the ability of Council to table an item of concern if a councilmember is going to be absent when the item is discussed. The Mayor advised that Staff has been asked to look at upgrading the sound system in the chambers, and that perhaps the cost for teleconferencing could be rolled over into a proposal to upgrade the equipment. Council expressed their concerns regarding restrictions in the proposed resolution relating to unscheduled work- related travel of 150 miles or more from the city, and that no councilmember can attend via telephone or other interactive electronics methods more than two regularly scheduled Council meetings per year. Mr. Hartwell stated his thoughts that state and federal business is conducted successfully on a daily basis with the use of modern technology. The City Attorney informed that while many state and local agencies are using teleconferencing, the difference with municipal proceedings is the Sunshine Law in that the public is entitled to know every aspect of the decision- making process. She advised it could be disruptive if a person cannot be heard well over the telephone, and that the extraordinary circumstances she outlined in the resolution follow all the legal requirements. The City Attorney advised the issue could be taken from one extreme to the next; to not do it at all, or have it apply to all the City boards since there are problems with absences in many of the boards, and that could be a way to change it to make it more conducive to conduct City business. The City Manager advised that if a major or controversial item was on the agenda and a councilmember could not be present to vote on the issue, she could relay that members feeling to the rest of Council and a vote could be made to table the item until everyone was present. Dominick Fiorentino, MIS Director, advised that while the technology is available, the City does not have it in its inventory or budget. He explained a test he conducted involving a conference phone and three employee in the Council Chamber. He stated an employee in the Chamber placed a call to him in his office, and he could not hear the person sitting in the audience of the Chambers. Mr. Fiorentino advised that if this is going to be done, he recommends directing Staff to do an analysis and place it in the budget for next year, and to do it with quality because the will it. public question The City Manager noted the acoustics in the Chamber are not the best. She stated Staff will investigate the issue, a nd the City Clerk c an look into incorporating it in her budget for the upcoming year. SEAL PARKWAY NEIGHBORHOOD DISCUSSION Discussion on Beal Parkway Neighborhood Action Plan. Dr. Pullen felt the need to discuss the development of the Beal Parkway neighborhood as it relates to density issues, affordable housing, etc. Missy McKim, CDS Director, explained the implementation of the action plan for the Beal Parkway neighborhood. She advised the short-term projects and what will be occurring as well as long- range plans; the issue of height in the area; and that as soon as the proposed budget is completed by CDS Staff, land use changes will be studied. Also discussed was the interest among community organizations regarding affordable housing, and that Council will be kept informed of the process of the project.  121 2/ 28/ 06 PAINTING OF WATER TOWER The City Manager explained a request was received from Jay Odom to paint the new Hughes Avenue water tower in the colors of Uptown Station and to include the wording "Uptown District" on it. The City Attorney expressed concern that it could interfere with the ordinance and City' sign s advertising for a private individual' s business. A proposed color scheme developed by Staff was distributed. John Hofstad, Utilities Director, advised the contract is way ahead of schedule on the construction of the water tower. The tower would include colors of sand, light and dark blues, with the City seal and the wording " Fort Walton Beach" on the crown of the tower. The City Manager received consensus from Council to proceed with Staff's recommendations for the painting of the tower for an additional cost of approximately $ 12, 000. 00. GOLF CLUB STUDY RATES Mr.Minich advised he attended the Golf Club Advisory workshop the previous evening where rates were discussed, and he suggested that recommendations should be reviewed by Council. The City Manager suggested the recommendations be reviewed at the March workshop. OTHER COUNCIL COMMENTS Mr. Patterson advised he spoke with Congressman Miller on the range issue and that the Congressman feels the Air Force is taking too long to get moving on the project, and that he wants to see some action taken very soon. The Mayor presented a list of priorities voted on by Council to be discussed at the Florida League of Cities; and presented an article that he wrote, as his opinion, on the bridge issue that will be published in the Daily News this weekend. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6: 15 p. m. APPROVED:,~ ~ MAYOR: I YCLERK ~ Page 3 of 3