Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 10-23-12 regular — reading text

SECONDER: Dick Rynearson, Council Seat 7 AYES: Griggs, gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Nabors, Rigdon, Rynearson Set 2013 Legislative Priorities The City Manager requested Council' s direction on their top three legislative issues to submit to the Northwest Florida League of Cities for the 2013 Legislative Session. Consensus of Council was to submit the three priorities that have been submitted the past several years; i. e., energy policy, municipal sales tax and pension reform. Recreation Complex Discussion Staff will discuss the 35% construction estimate provided by Lord & Son, hie. for the proposed recreation center and athletic complex and request City Council authorization to move forward with the next steps in the project. The City Manager introduced discussion of a proposed Recreational Complex to replace the four aging facilities the City currently operates, including the Hedrick Center, Docie Bass, Chester Pruitt, and the Creative Senior Center, which were all built in the mid- 1970's, along with 17 athletic fields over 8 locations throughout the City. The City Manager noted that Council has continuously expressed its commitment to quality of life programs, of which recreation is included, and advised that two options are available in order for the City to continue to provide recreation services: 1) maintain the existing facilities and fields, or 2) consolidate the recreation and athletic programs into one new, larger facility. Jeff Peters, Recreation/ Cultural Services Director, discussed the issues of concern with the four current recreational facilities, including replacements of the air conditioning units; mold/ mildew issues; waster intrusion/ moisture issues; interior renovations; roof repair /replacement, parking lot overlays; gum Floor replacements; and lobby enhancements. Mr. Peters also informed of the issues at the athletic fields including light/pole and restroom replacements and parking lot renovations. Mr. Peters continued that in 2011, the Council directed Staff to develop a master plan to consolidate recreation facilities and award the Design Criteria Package for a new recreation facility to Hatch Mott MacDonald, and in August 2012 the Council awarded the Construction Manager at Risk contract to Lord & Son Inc. The preliminary facility amenities include a full size gymnasium with air conditioning/beat; two racquetball courts; a fitness, game, and dance room; senior center program room; full size kitchen; and an after school program room. The total cost estimation for the proposed facility is $ 8. 1M. He also discussed renovation cost totals of the four current facilities and the athletic fields over 5 years at approximately $ 2. 6M and compared renovating vs. consolidating over 5 years with the consolidation alternative proving less costly on an annual basis. City Council ofFort Walton Beach Page 5 Printed 1012412012 106 Regular Meeting Minutes October 23, 2012 Brandy Ferris, Finance Director, discussed funding strategies for the project including exploring grant opportunities; debt financing; generating additional revenue through the evaluation of existing and potential leases of City facilities through a Property Manager; and developing a sponsorship program to obtain community involvement through funding opportunities by partnering with the Chamber of Commerce. The City Manager noted discussions have been held regarding creative ways to generate revenue for the project, including sponsorship programs and the hiring of an independent property manager to look at existing City -owned leases and provide recommendations to address revenue generation opportunities. The City Manager advised Council of Staffs recommendations regarding the proposed recreational complex: 1) Move forward with the proposed consolidation of recreation facilities and develop the new Fort Walton Beach Recreation Complex; 2) Move forward with hiring an independent Property Manager to evaluate existing City -owned facilities, properties, and leases to provide recommendations to address revenue generation opportunities; and 3) Recommend developing a sponsorship program for the City of Fort Walton Beach Recreation Complex through a partnership with the Chamber of Commerce. Council discussion included the high cost of maintenance on the present facilities; the use or lack of use of current athletic fields after the new facility is built; how currently leased properties are factored into the new facility; and whether or not the hiring of a contractual property manager to conduct another study for the City is beneficial. Clarification was given that during construction of the new facility, the remaining three facilities will be utilized by staff and that current programs would continue, and that the RFQ will be brought to Council at the November 13 meeting. Allan Steams encouraged Council to support the project, stating it would be good for the citizens and the City and a good investment as well, and noted the safety hazards that the facilities currently have. Shane Wisco of Wisco Electric expressed his support of the project, noting it would bring work for electrical and other contractors working on the building. Reed Trumbull, 635 Merioneth, stated his feeling it would be better to hold onto properties for the future rather than leasing them. Sabu Williams of Greater Peace Church stated he supports the project and stated the church would be interested in leasing the Chester Pruitt Center. The majority of Council voiced their support of the project; however, Mr. Griggs did not support the project, stating that the City cannot gamble on this size of a debt to the City. The City Attorney advised that the three recommendations be voted on separately Cry Couecdl ofFon WaGon Oeaah Page 6 Printed 102412017  107 Regular Meeting Minutes October 23, 2012 Mr. Rigdon moved to proceed with the proposed consolidation of recreation facilities and develop the new Fort Walton Beach Recreation Complex. Motion was seconded by Dr. gossom and earried_by a vote of 6_ to 1. RESULT: APPROVED [ 6 TO 1] MOVER: Joyce gossom, Bull Rigdon AYES: gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Nabors, Rigdon, Rynearson NAYS: Bobby Griggs Hire Property Manager Mr. Rynearson moved to move forward with hiring an independent Property Manager to evaluate existing City -owned facilities, properties, and leases to provide recommendations to address revenue generation opportunities. Motion was seconded by Dr. gossom and carried by a vote of 5 to 2. Council received clarification that this is a beginning process to look at hiring a property manager, and that a report will be brought back to Council for their review. RESULT: ADOPTED [ 5 TO 21 MOVER: Dick Rynearson, Council Seat 7 SECONDER: Joyce gossom, Council Seat 2 AYES: gossom, Goodwin, Nabors, Rigdon, Rynearson NAYS: Bobby Griggs, Dennis Reeves Develop Sponsorship Program Dr. gossom moved to recommend developing a sponsorship program for the City of Fort Walton Beach Recreation Complex through a partnership with the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Rynearson seconded motion and it carried by a vote of 6 to 1. RESULT: ADOPTED [ 6 TO 11 MOVER: Joyce gossom, Council Seat 2 SECONDER: Dick Rynearson, Council Seat 7 AYES: gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Nabors, Rigdon, Rynearson NAYS: Bobby Griggs CITY MANAGER REPORTS The City Manager reminded Council of the Special Council Meeting on November 13 at 5 pm to discuss the Fire Assessment, and that the Council meeting of November 27 was cancelled due to Thanksgiving. The City Manager informed that the Employee Luncheon for Florida Government Week was a huge success; that the Chamber raised $ 3, 000 at the Dog Daze event; and the Zombie Walk held this past Saturday was successful. He also updated Council on the Soundside project, advising that the commitment from HUD was received. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS None. City Council ofFort Walton Beach Page 7 Printed 1012412012 1: Regular Meeting Minutes October 23 2012 MAYOR/ COUNCIL COMMENTS Mr. Rynearson received clarification that the duration of time for the individual appointed by Council to serve on Seat 3 after Mr. Reeves vacates will be until March 31, 2013. The Mayor explained the individual will be appointed at the second meeting in January 2013 and will serve for two months, until March 31, 2013, and that the newly elected Council will be swom in on April 1, 2013. Mr. Rigdon thanked the citizens for coming to the fair last week and stated it was the biggest and the best that was held. Mr. Goodwin informed his family is excited about a baby boy that will be joining their family in April. Mr. Reeves stated that having the Dog Daze event at Liza Jackson Park this year was a good idea. Dr. gossom presented to the City Clerk two policies in draft form from the Florida League of Cities Transportation and Intergovernmental Relations session and asked they be distributed to Council to provide input before the November policy meeting. Dr. gossom advised she will be shadowing Mayor Sam Seevers of Destin on Friday, and mentioned the Haunted History Tours sponsored by the City's Heritage Park and Cultural Center. The Mayor advised both the Dog Daze and Zombie Walks were successful events; that there will be a meeting at the Library on Thursday morning to discuss what to place in a time capsule for the 500th Anniversary of Florida; and that he heard great comments regarding the Employee Luncheon that was held for Florida Government Week. The Mayor also informed that the City of Mary Esther will be holding their Veteran's Day Parade on November 12 and that the City Clerk will be contacting Council to see if they want to participate. ADJOURNMENT: 7: 31 pm Approved: / j!?: i/:2 131 U/ Mayor: Attest: 2t_