Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 03-13-2007 regular agenda — reading text

estimated $ 50, 000 a year would be reasonable to dedicate to the effort and if the staff support cannot be absorbed with the current staff, then additional staff will be needed. Doug Reed, 842 Santa Rosa Court and owner of Merlin' s downtown, suggested streamlining the permitting process for contractors as some areas are redundant. He mentioned none of the downtown businesses were aware the one- way streets downtown was as far along and are in the process of being approved. The City Manager explained the issue came up recently at the CRA charette on the CRA Plan Update; they are not close to having public meetings on it as it is still part of the discussion phase. Bill Garvie, 315 Shell Avenue SE, mentioned the storm water coming off the streets and going into the waters. He complimented staff for receiving a grant to install four storm water separators and requested the City continue with the effort and to install more storm water separators. DISCUSSION ITEMS Discussion was held on the following issues: Rethinkina the business of City aovernment issues Boards and Committees - discussion included the need for direct and open communication; are they following the strategic plan; receive quarterly, semi- annual, or annual report by Chairman, or regular slot on agenda to allow reports as needed. Alternative means of service delivery - discussion included consolidation of fire and police services in south Okaloosa County; expand police and fire services RFP to look at ways to provide services in the most cost effective manner such as outsourcing, consolidation, public/private partnerships, privatization, and Interlocal Agreements. E- Government - discussion included expanding Council e- capability at meetings; provide Council a laptop at meetings for capability of instant retrieval of information; waiting to access information at a meeting may slow process; and the Charter Officers having the capability to access information at meetings. Human Resources policv - compensation/ retirement - discussion included establishing a hard maximum on pay chart; have an overall review of the retirement program; doing a compensation retirement survey; establish a bonus system with a one time bonus; and having a review of all compensation systems. Ad valorem tax - discussion included the need for a balance of businesses and residences if the legislature eliminates the ad valorem tax and increases the sales tax. Reserve policy - discussion included revisiting the City' s current policy to maintain 20% of operating expenses in the reserve fund with 26% currently in the reserve fund. Citv Hall relocation - discussion included moving City Hall to a location higher than 6' above sea level and away from the waterfront; move the City Hall facilities to another location, let the reverter clause kick in so the property will revert back to the tax rolls, or keep a portion of the city government function at the current location so the reverter clause would not apply. Council protocol - encourage new Council members to read the protocol handbook. Strategic Planning Session 1- 20- 07 155 RECESS The morning session took a break at 10: 15 a. m. RECONVENE The morning session reconvened at 10: 30 a, m. Business climate for redevelopment issues Permitting review and enforcement process - discussion included creating a pamphlet of regulations to give to developers; re- address ordinances that may be faulty; following the ordinances and applying equally; sending a letter to the downtown property owners to come in to find out what they can and cannot do; having a Development Order in place; requiring a foundation survey within timeframe or stop work order issued; site plan amendments for major and minor changes; and streamline the process with shorter time between steps. . Land Development Code review - it was reported this was an objective from last years strategic meeting and the process is underway, Council and the public will have adequate time to review. Architectural requlations - discussion included developing architectural regulations with defined parameters that will achieve a balance between being business friendly and the community standards that align with the vision plan, and avoid personal opinions. Parkinq - Council will discuss further when the downtown parking study is completed; also discussed revisiting the parking regulations for condominiums/ motels. CRA balance and boundaries - discussion included continuing the balanced approach of CRA investment, two way discussions between the CRA Board and Council; CRA to give recommendations and Council to provide guidance; future discussion on how to appoint members to the Boards; and clean up of the south side of Highway 98. BREAK The morning session broke for lunch at 11 : 30 a, m. RECONVENE The afternoon session reconvened at 12: 00 p. m. DISCUSSION cont. Historic preservation - discussion on the Certified Local Government ( CLG) process included comments that there are specific requirements for the application and changes will have to be made to some ordinances in order to meet the criteria; it will require a more stringent review by the Historic Sites Board for development proposals as well as demolition; once certified there are further requirements for close coordination with the State Historic Preservation Officer and the City will qualify for grants that will help with the update of the historic structures inventory and the survey of the archaeological resources in the City; and the process will require additional staff. Vaqrancv - discussion included the report that the Police Chief is working on a more aggressive panhandling ordinance; the Community Police Department has been asked to develop a business safety training program for the downtown businesses; the Police Chief will prepare a duty roster to show when and where the CRA Officer and the Community Police Officers are downtown and to spend as much time downtown as possible; improving the lighting on streets and sidewalks downtown and along First Street and behind the Temple Mound; getting an active neighborhood watch involved in the downtown area; encourage business owners to do what may be needed to their personal property to provide additional security fighting after hours and to attend the training; and work with the Chamber to educate businesses on " no panhandling allowed" to redirect those efforts. Siqnaqe - discussion on signage included revisiting the billboard issue; reducing the number of billboards and allowing the ones remaining to be upgraded.  1- 20- 07 Strategic Planning Session 156 DISCUSSION cont. Impact fees - this issue will be discussed at a Council workshop on 1- 23- 07. Underqround utilities and alternative financinQ - discussion included placing utilities underground then financed with an assessment. It was reported the City will receive a final cost report from Gulf Power in approximately six weeks on the Eglin Parkway underground project. Quality of Ufe issues Parks - discussion included developing neighborhood parks in the Combs- New Heights area and California/ Coral ditch area; it was reported staff is working with the Combs- New Heights area on a community center and recreation area. Moorinq fields - discussion included comments that mooring fields are dirty and unclean and would affect the water quality; and it is no longer a priority of the Waters Edge Ad- Hoc Advisory Committee. Senior services - discussion included transportation, volunteer programs for meals and home improvement, and the Police Departments " R U OK?" call system. Water quality in the sound - discussion included the comments that progress has been made on on storm improvement, and the importance to continue current efforts. Council will receive a report water in February. Infrastructure and Environmental issues Storm water - discussion included the suggestion that the City attempt to get authority from DEP to install any system that would help clean out the water before it flows into the sound. Traffic and road maintenance - discussion included working with the County on the roads that are in the City limits but are County maintained to improve the conditions, stripping, sweeping and general maintenance. Shoreline protection - discussion included the 50' shoreline protection zone with no permanent structures allowed within that 50' set back, and the swimming pool and retention wall planned for the Presidio project within the 50' shoreline protection zone; it was reported the Presidio -issue will go before Council for consideration of a site plan amendment. General policy issues Annexation - discussion included raising the priority of annexation efforts around the fairgrounds property and the Island. Plan for uses of land alonQ Lewis Turner Blvd - it was noted the master plan for the property was tabled by Council until the appraisals were received. Partnership with the Chamber - continue partnership with the Chamber. the current GeoQraphically expand police take home vehicle policy - discussion included expanding to be taken to take home vehicle program to operate as the other departments and allow the vehicle wherever the officer lives; current program has been successful; attracts more police candidates. HousinQ subsidy - discussion included examining housing subsidy for city employees within the City. and the Replacement vehicle policy - discussion included examining the vehicle replacement policy costs. vehicle maintenance approach; vehicle replacement cost may offset maintenance Indoor firinq ranqe - discussion included examining options for an indoor firing range, training facility for the Police Officers.  trategic Planning Session 1- 20- 07 157 Reuional and State issues: Hometessness - stay engaged with the efforts of the continuing care organizations under the United Way in order to know their direction so the