Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 09-20-06 regular minutes — reading text

portion of the public boardwalk; Phase II the construction of a 5- story, 35 unit multi- family residential condominium, and the remaining portion of the public boardwalk; and Phase III the closure of the upland boat sales/ storage use, move the commercial marina office to Phase II condominium building temporarily until the Phase III condominium is complete, and construct a 5- story 35 unit resort condominium. He building objected to condition 4c on page 3 of the Development Order on the construction of a boardwalk in Phase I. Mr. Smith advised the applicant wanted to construct the boardwalk during Phase '" of the project, as opposed to Staff' s condition of building it during Phase I, and that they would be willing to pay a bond for construction during Phase III. RECESS The meeting recessed at 9: 00 p. m. RECONVENE The meeting reconvened at 9: 03 p. m. I"""" The CDS Director advised the City Attorney had suggested the language can be amended to read as follows: " The owner shall submit a performance bond before issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy of Phase I for the eastern portion of the boardwalk guaranteeing construction of the eastern within 90 portion of receipt of the building permit for Phase III of the project," with the days rest of the current language remaining. Mr. Smith agreed with the amended language of condition 4c in the CRA Site Plan Development Order. The CDS Director submitted for the record the staff report with the amended language. 60 Regular Council 9- 26- 06 SUNRISE ON THE SOUND ( CONT) The Mayor opened the public hearing. As there was no one who wished to speak, the public hearing was closed. Mr. Holmes moved to approve the site plan for the Sunrise on the Sound Mixed-Use Resort Condominium/ Commercial Marina, 12 and 14 Miracle Strip Parkway SW, and the issuance of a CRA Site Plan Development Order with the conditions stipulated, and as amended, in the Order. Mr. Minich seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. SITE PLAN - WHITROCK OFFICE BUILDING Consideration of a request by Keith Rockman, owner, for Site Plan Development Order approval of Whitrock Office Building, a 4, 750 s.f. building located at 116 Third Street SE. The City Attorney gave the oath to the individuals who expected to speak on the issue. Scott Nicholson, representing Whitrock Associates, was available to answer any questions Council might have. He advised there were no objections to the Staff Report. The Staff Report was submitted and entered into the record. The Mayor opened the public haring. As there was none, the public hearing was closed. Mr. Campbell moved to approve the site plan for the Whitrock Office Building, 116 Third Street SE, and the issuance of a CRA Site Plan Development Order with the conditions specified in the Order. Mr. Patterson seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. GENERAL PUBLIC Doug Reed, 842 Santa Rosa Court, addressed the problem of vagrants at the Fort Walton Landing Park and the downtown area as a whole, and asked Council to instruct staff to research what tools bring back recommendations to Council in the next 30- 60 are available to prevent this problem and days. Joan Norman, owner of property east of the Landing, stated her concerns regarding male vagrants approaching her female tenants and asking them for money. Aaron Thrush, 316 Sudduth Circle, discussed the need for shelters in the area, and mentioned the good work done by the Sharing and Caring organization and various churches and the need for volunteers. Mr. Thrush also discussed a planned shelter called the Opportunity House, which will provide services for the working poor and homeless. Jerry Elhers, 355 Gardner Drive, suggested an ordinance be adopted stating that shirts and shoes must be worn in public parks and stores as a way to help curtail the problem. Dick Gercak, 214 Miracle Strip Parkway, stated he and some friends that were boating over the weekend at the Landing were approached several times by vagrants, and that their wives were not comfortable spending the night on their boat docked at the park. Linda Reynolds, owner of the Pack Mail in Publix Shopping Center, noted the definite problem as she encountered several vagrants asking for money as she distributed business flyers to the downtown merchants.  9- 26- 06 61 Regular Council GENERAL PUBLIC ( CONT) Dina Clampett, downtown business owner, discussed the vagrants that accumulate in front of the downtown stores and in the doorways. Chris Gibson, 249 Brooks Street, discussed the problem of vagrants cleaning themselves in the drinking fountains at the Landing. Tamela Carter advised she often fishes at night at the Landing and has never felt threatened or been approached by vagrants. Pastor Robinson, 622 Gap Creek, discussed the need for more shelters, that the individuals are harmless and are still people, and that a solution needs to be found to help these people. Goldy Neely, 106 Lincoln Drive, stated she has been homeless in the past, not out of choice, and that she worked several different jobs through a labor force and made enough money to eat, which used up her daily wages. Ted Corcoran, Chamber of Commerce, representing the downtown merchants, advised he would offer the resources of the Chamber by bringing forth the businesses, non- profits, and church and civic groups to work closely with City staff to find a solution. The City Manager responded to some of the comments that were made. She informed the restrooms at the Landing close each evening at 11 :00 pm, and noted actions can be taken to limit access to the park after certain hours. She stressed the significant staff resources in the Police Department the past several weeks, including community policing, undercover police, the drug task force, and aggressive patrolling procedures. The City Manager requested that local churches not feed individuals at the Landing; it is preferred it be done on church property. She stated her thoughts that working with the Chamber and the downtown merchants can result in an action plan that will help mitigate the issue. Dutch Petro, 30 Moriarity, suggested using technology via a computer chip to gather information and institute a system to differentiate and separate vagrants from those individuals who are homeless. Dr. Reese Williamson of Crestview, representing the 4- H, requested the deadline for the fairground lease termination be extended to allow the children to show their animals in April. The City Attorney verified that the City has not received an abandonment plan, although the lease is set to expire in December, but it is not known when they will leave the premises. The Mayor advised it might be wise for Dr. Williamson to discuss the situation with the fairgrounds staff. RES. 06. 27 - BYPASS ROUTE NORTH OF CHOCTAWHATCHEE BAY The Mayor read the resolution by title. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA; SUPPORTING A BYPASS ROUTE NORTH OF CHOCTAWHATCHEE BAY AS PROPOSED BY A FOUR COUNTY CHAMBER COALITION FOR SUBMISSION TO AND ENDORSEMENT BY THE NORTHWEST FLORIDA TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR AUTHORITY, THE FORT WALTON BEACH METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION ( MPO), AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Holmes moved to approve Res. 06. 27. Mr. Minich seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor.  62 Regular Council 9- 26- 06 CONSOLIDATION OF SERVICES Consideration of a request to discuss " Reduction in City Budget by Consolidation of Services". Councilman Tucker removed the item from the agenda. INSURANCE POLICY RENEWALS Mr. Campbell moved to authorize the City Manager to execute insurance policies with I};. Preferred Government Insurance Trust for property insurance in the amount of $443,265, for i, ,.,'.,. .'.,.",.,:,',. . 1\: General and Public Officials liability in the amount of $104,992, and for auto liability/physical i,:' 1 damage for $ 62, 130; with the Florida League of Cities for workers' compensation in the I,," amount of $527, 192; with Fisher-Brown, Inc. for flood insurance in the amount of $30, 876; with the Public Risk Insurance Agency for petroleum environmental liability in the amount of $ 12, 0765; with Travelers Insurance Company through Fisher-Brown, Inc. for fiduciary liability in the amount of $14, 360; with Hartford Insurance Group for Public Officials Bonds in the amount of $ 400; and with the American International Company for Statutory Accidental Death and Dismemberment for Police and Firefighters in the amount of $2, 983; in the total $ 1, 198, 273; and to authorize staff to remarket some or all lines of coverage in the 2006/ 07 fiscal year should changes occur in the insurance market that would benefit the City' s insurance program. Mr. Minich seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. JUDICIAL CENTER Discussion regarding the possible location of the Okaloosa County Judicial Center Annex Extension on City property and providing further direction to the City Manager. The City Manager advised she has had discussions with the County Administrator and it was agreed that until the cost to remediate the wetlands issue on the OWCC property is known, it is difficult to have a discussion about cost with the City because of the low offer on the OWCC property. She also advised she needs further direction from Council on such issues as site location; whether to sell or lease the property; the cost per acre; whether any amenities should be considered; that the property would be maintained for public purpose; the City would have first right of refusal; that the water and sewer remain in the City; and that some sort of shared parking agreement be considered because of the ball fields being there. Discussion included that time is of the essence; the County wants to make a decision soon and seems receptive to a City offer, but the City has no clear direction on how to use the property, and the master plan, when started, will take 4- 6 month to complete. The Mayor asked for any public input on this issue. There was none. Mr. Minich