Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 08-08-06 workshop minutes — reading text

269 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 8, 2006 tNTRODUCTION was held on A Council Workshop Meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, with the following members present: Tuesday, August 8, 2006, at 5: 30 p. m. Mayor Mike AndeFSOO Counci1me" rMlke lrIolmes, Bill Patterson, Bob Campbell, ( Mayor Pro Tem), Jim Tucker, Dr. Wayne Pullen, Jim Hartwell, and Mike Minich Also Present: Joyce Shanahan, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Finance Director Position 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. ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ISSUES Discussion regarding illegal immigration issues. he wanted to The Mayor explained that based upon recent inquiries received from citizens, with Council, Staff, the City Attorney, and anyone who was address the issue of illegal immigration present this evening. and cited Jim Murtha, 21 Bay Drive NE, discussed his concern regarding illegal immigrants, increased crime, accidents, housing, workmen' s compensation claims, and lack of formal Mr. Murtha stressed the need to education among the individuals who are working here illegally. and future taxpayers will be paying for the iIIegals for years get control of the situation, as present to come. Council asked Mr. Murtha what he wanted them to do. Mr. Murtha suggested a citizen' s committee formed to develop ways consisting of Council members, law enforcement, and religious leaders be to curb the growing problem. the hiring The City Manager provided ordinances to Council from a city in Pennsylvania prohibiting of illegal immigrants, citing fines and loss of business licenses to employers, and prohibiting the rental of homes/properties to illegals. She also advised cities in Florida are adopting ordinances in Pennsylvania. implementing regulations similar to those of the ordinance adopted for the City to Council questioned what recommendations or guidance it can give to Staff Staff to investigate issues implement. The City Manager explained that there is not enough but laws be addressed through adoption of an ordinance, but regarding the hiring of iIIegals, can is their desire. She further advised the League of she would need direction from Council if that to recommend to the federal Cities has suggested a resolution be done by communities resolution to state legislatures government that these regulations be enforced, but she noted a could be more effective. labor, Discussion ensued regarding encouraging employers, particularly those who hire temporary Council also to check for social security cards and driver' s licenses of potential employees. that the City will take a proactive stance if it is suggested sending out notices in City publications discovered illegals are being hired. 270 Council Workshop 8- 8- 06 ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION Discussion also included that the work ethic among many young Americans is gone and it is often a non- American who is willing to work, and just because a business owner hires a non-American who could be an illegal does not make the business owner a criminal. The City Manager advised that letters would be sent to those who have occupational licenses within the City, as well as to realtors, advising them not to hire or rent to known illegals. PAWS REQUEST FOR NEW FACILITY Discussion regarding request from Panhandle Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), Inc. to amend their lease and erect a start- of-the- art facility. The City Manager advised representatives from PAWS would like to discuss the possibility of extending the term of their lease to make improvements to their facility. She advised that if Council gives consensus on this item, it will be brought forward at a subsequent Council meeting. Mike Coupe, President of PAWS, summarized due to growth in the county PAWS would like to expand their facility to build a new sheltering facility, including an education center and conference facility, and sheltering and housing and a medical facility for animals in their care. In order to do this, PAWS would like to have a long- term lease ( greater than a year) or ownership of this property, and removal of the current 180- day termination clause. Mr. Coupe also noted the provision of the lease that plans over $7, 500 be submitted to Council for their approval, and that PAWS would have no problem in doing that. Also mentioned was the future possibility for a dog park to enable owners to take their dogs to exercise and give the community a defined area for dogs to be exercised, but there are no plans for this at the present time. The City Manager advised she brought the issue forward in a workshop to receive direction from Council whether they are interested in extending the lease, or in selling or deeding the property to PAWS. She also informed the current lease with PAWS is indefinite, except for the 180- day termination clause, at a cost of $ 1. 00 per year, and if it is their desire for her to negotiate for a longer term lease for some sort of fixed amount, it can be done, but she wants to ensure she is clear on the intent of Council. Discussion included fund- raising for the expansion; that the property would have to be declared excess and that the land would be beneficial for the operation of PAWS; and that a 50- year lease would be desirable for PAWS. Council expressed concern that when property is developed by a tenant, there could be problems, and that an agreement be reached that is in the best interest of the City. The City Manager advised she will begin discussion with PAWS on available options, and return to Council the option that is most beneficial for the City. GENERAL PUBLIC Don Dewrell, representing the Northwest Florida Fair Association, discussed alternatives available to resolve the issues of continued occupation of the fairgrounds, including possibly having the Fair Association purchase the property based on the appraised price. Mr. Dewrell distributed documentation tracing the acquisition of the fairgrounds and softball complex property by the City from the Forestry Service as far back as 2002. He asked the Council consider this as an alternative, and if the issues cannot be resolved, he will have to proceed with whatever avenues are available.  271 Council Workshop 8- 8- 06 GENERAL PUBLIC ( CO NT) Charlotte Patterson, Chairman for the Okaloosa Kennel Club, stated the Kennel Club rents four buildings at the fairgrounds during a four-day period for the dog show, and that the $ 350,000 generated by the show is spent in Fort Walton Beach at hotels and restaurants, and not other in parts of the county. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6: 28 p. m. r ~ APPROVED:, MAYOR: Ive