Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 01-08-08 regular minutes — reading text

be actively involved in and the ones they think she does not need to be involved in unless direction comes from Council; that when the City changed attorneys the original contract was not about the dollar amount, that the reason for the change was about personal opinions and not about the dollar amount, and it is unfair to insinuate the City is headed in that direction again. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried by a vote of 6 to 1 with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Hartwell, and Minich in favor and Pullen opposed. CRA BOARD APPOINTMENT Consideration of appointment to the CRA Board of Commissioners. The City Clerk announced that Bill Walter has withdrawn his application for consideration. Mr. Minich nominated Jason Legg, 82 Laurie Drive, Fort Walton Beach, to serve on the CRA Board of Commissioners for an unexpired term until April 10, 2010. There were no further nominations. TheMayor called for the vote on the nomination of Jason Legg to the CRA Board of Commissioners for an unexpired term until April 10, 2010 and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. Dean Covey, 270 Brooks Street, received clarification that Mr. Legg is an architect. FIREFIGHTERS PENSION TRUST FUND BOARD APPOINTMENTS Consideration of appointment to the Firefighters Pension Trust Fund Board. Mr. Holmes moved to reappoint Gene Large, 17 Lake Circle NW, Mary Esther to the I Firefighters' Pension Trust Fund Board of Trustees for a two-year term from January 1, 200S to December 31, 2009. Also, to reappoint, as a ministerial duty, Ervin Kempf to serve on the Firefighters' Pension Trust Fund Board of Trustees, as the fifth member, for a two- year term from January 1, 200S to December 31, 2009. Mr. Minich seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor.  Regular Council 1- 8- 08 283 MAYOR/COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Miller discussed the Emergency Meeting that was held on December 20, 2007, concerning the SBA, and wanted to ensure it was legal and valid. The City Manager advised an item can be placed on the January 22 consent agenda to ratify the minutes of that meeting. Mr. Miller also discussed the issue of the poor condition of some of the traffic poles in the City, and noted the poles in other cities are worse and that it is a problem state wide due to poor work by the contractor. r Mr. Garvie discussed the water supply planning workshop he attended in Niceville, and advised he will continue to attend these workshops to become educated on the subject. Dr. Pullen questioned where in the. Charter it states that the City Manager has the authority to deny a councilmember' s request to put an item on the agenda. The City Manager advised that if his question refers to a specific agenda request he had, she advised that from past Council discussions and Roberts Rules of Order, the request has to be an actionable item, and that his request, ' Discussion and Possible Action of Charter Officers,' contained no specificity and requested that he provide some specificity so Council could take affirmative action, but no specifics were provided by Dr. Pullen. The City Manager stated she was following priot direction from Council regarding required backup for agenda items. The Mayor advised he discussed the issue with the City Manager and concurred with her decision to not place the request on the agenda. Mr. Hartwell discussed the possibility of offering Cinco Bayou the opportunity to annex into the City. The City Manager advised the process of annexation is lengthy and it was suggested to wait until Cinco Bayou has their new mayor and commissioner to determine their level of interest, as well as the interest of Council. Mr. Hartwell also discussed the issue of armed burglaries in the area and the right for citizens to protect themselves in their homes. The Police Chief explained that many home invasions are drug related so the average citizen should stay alert but does not have a need to be greatly concerned. Mr. Minich advised he supported the City Manager' s decision not to place Dr. Pullen' s item on the agenda without sufficient backup, and that as much information as possible should be provided so Council can make an informed decision. Mr. Minich stressed the need for Council to follow Roberts Rules of Orders and to ask questions during that time and to discuss and debate issues only after a motion is made. Mr. Minich praised the efforts of City Staff for their hard work in creating wonderful baskets for the Relay for Life Raffle, and that $ 1, 520.00 was raised for the Cancer Society. The Mayor announced the Chamber Government Division has created a local issues committee, whereby the Chamber and City will work together on local issues. He reminded that he will be speaking to the league of Women Voters on January 12 from 10- 12 on the property tax r- referendum and its impact if it passes, and the OCLOC dinner on January 15 in Niceville. The j Mayor further advised that the NWFLOC will provide training in Tallahassee for those interested in lobbying in the spring. i The Mayor acknowledged the Public Works Staff for helping residents with a sink hole in their yard, and that the Sheriff recognized the Police Chief for assisting with the Crimestoppers pamphlet. The Mayor stated he attended a delegation and spoke about unfunded mandates, and had the opportunity to meet with the lobbyist hired by the City. He thanked Missy McKim for being selected as the Treasurer of Bridgeway, and thanked Helen Spencer for sending flowers to a representative from another city who passed away unexpectedly. He also echoed Mr. Minich' s comments regarding the need for Council to follow the rules and to ask questions and debate issues at the appropriate times.  Regular Council 1- 8- 08 284 CITY MANAGER ANNOUNCEMENTS The City Manager announced the Health Fair at the Senior Center on Thursday, January 10, from 9 am to 2 pm; the Great Neighborhood Partnership Meeting on Thursday evening, January 10, at 6: 30 pm at the Senior Center; and advised that all City offices will be closed on Monday, January 21, for Martin Luther King Day, and informed there will be a parade/ march from the City auditorium to Fort Walton Beach High School with a presentation rally to follow. ceremony ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10: 55 p. m. 1:. 1.,:. .". . . . . . . . . . . .' . ,. . . . . t.: 1/. 9 l; C;. ~ rft;;;: ddm II." II