Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 03-24-09 regular minutes — reading text

Mr. Minich moved to approve the Wastewater Treatment Interlocal submittal of Agreement to the NWFLOC Community of Excellence Award. Mr. Garvie seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, and Minich in favor (Hartwell absent). Council recognized former Councilman Jim Tucker and Citizen Joe Taylor for their efforts in this project. NOMINATE ELECTED OFFICIAL FOR AWARD Consideration of a request for Council to nominate an elected official for the Northwest Florida League of Cities Municipal Official of the Year Award. Mr. Minich nominated Councilman Mike Holmes for the NWFLOC Municipal Official of the Year. As there were no further nominations, the Mayor called for the vote on the nomination of Mike Holmes and it carried by a vote of 5 to 1 with Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, and Minich in favor and Holmes opposed ( Hartwell absent). SUPPORT OF COUNTY -WIDE PROCLAMATION FOR F -35 BEDDOWN Consideration F -35 beddown. of a request for Council's support of a County -wide Proclamation supporting the Mr. Miller moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the county -wide proclamation on behalf of the City of Fort Walton Beach in support of the F -35. Mr. Garvie seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, and Minich in favor Hartwell absent). CRA BOARD APPOINTMENT Consideration of appointment to the CRA Board of Commissioners. The City Clerk advised there are four applications for one appointment for an unexpired term until January 27, 2011. Mr. Minich nominated Karen Huff, 2430 Avenia Desol, Navarre. Mr. Miller nominated Tom Tona, 207 Walkedge, Fort Walton Beach.  149 Regular Council 03/ 24/ 09 CRA BOARD APPOINTMENT ( CONT) Mr. Garvie nominated Lewis Jennings, 605 Mooney Road, Fort Walton Beach. Karen Huff advised as a business owner in the CRA district she will give 100% to both the CRA and the City of Fort Walton Beach. The Mayor asked that nominations be voted on alphabetically. The Mayor called for the vote for Karen Huff with Holmes and Minich in favor. The Mayor called for the vote for Lewis Jennings with Garvie and Pullen in favor. The Mayor called for the vote for Tom Tona with Miller and Reeves in favor. Mr. Minich moved to table appointment to the CRA Board of Commissioners until the meeting of April 14, 2009. Mr. Miller seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, and Minich in favor (Hartwell absent). OTHER CITY BUSINESS FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES Mr. Minich commented on the actions of the Mayor with giving directions to the Acting City Manager and coordinating directly with staff and respectfully requested the Mayor allow the Acting City Manager to conduct his job as Council has given him the authority to do so. Dr.Pullen echoed the comments and added to work with staff behind or around the City Manager is forbidden by the Charter. Mr. Reeves mentioned there were a couple of instances involving the Mayor and staff that he thought might have crossed the line and echoed the sentiments expressed. Mr. Miller expressed what the Mayor does for the City is outstanding and he is a terrific Mayor but his only disagreement is the conduct of business in the Chamber and thought the divisions of roles and responsibilities need to be defined to be made clear. Mr. Holmes expressed appreciation for the comments and expressed confidence that the Mayor will review the comments. MAYOR/COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Homes welcomed the Council -elect and encouraged them to speak with the City Staff regarding questions they might have on issues that arise, and appreciated the time and passion the outgoing Council has given to the City. Mr. Miller stated he enjoyed working with each Council member, that they each bring their own personality to the Council and they are all good representatives of Fort Walton Beach. Mr. Reeves also thanked the outgoing Council, stating he looked to them for guidance when he first got on Council, and welcomed the Council- elect. Mr. Reeves ended his comments by saying the City has a fantastic Mayor who devotes a lot of personal time to the efforts of the City. Mr. Garvie reported on two of the committees he sits on, the Continuum of Care and the Council on Juvenile Justice, and the important tasks they are undertaking to assist the homeless and troubled youth. Mr. Garvie also welcomed the Council -elect and thanked the outgoing Council. 150 Regular Council 03/ 24/09 MAYOR/COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS ( CONT) The Mayor mentioned the success of the Construction Junction event put on by the Police Department; that he attended an awards ceremony at the base and one of the recipients of a civilian awards was John Moreland, who is a driving force behind the Seabreeze neighborhood. The Mayor reminded Council and the Council -elect of the discussion of the City Manager position at the April 14 meeting. CITY MANAGER ANNOUNCEMENTS The Acting City Manager advised that a meeting was held of the county -wide partnership whereby the City is responsible for developing a county -wide purchasing consortium, and that the City's purchasing agent, William Worlds, prepared an excellent proposal that received kudos from the other participants. The Acting City Manager further advised the City received the plaques from the Government Finance Officers Association for excellence in budgeting for the 12th year in a row and will be presented at the next meeting. CITY MANAGER APPLICATIONS Council questioned the next step in the City Manager hiring process. The Human Resource Director explained that at the April 14 meeting, Council will narrow the list to 5 applicants with one alternate, and a staff report will be prepared with alternatives to select the applicants and the alternate. Mr. Wiltsie explained the current Council has provided information on their choices for the top 10, and that the new Council has received the same information. Mr. Minich requested that the City Clerk provide to Council and Council -elect a by -name listing of who he and the other Council members selected. Dr. Pullen commented that on April 14, the Council can make a decision on appointing a City Manager at that time if they desire. FINAL COMMENTS BY OUTGOING COUNCIL Dr. Pullen thanked the staff, saying the City has a good staff. He relayed to the Council -elect the importance of personal integrity and ethics and that they will be judged by those traits. Dr. Pullen also expressed the importance for them to know what is going on in their City. Mr. Minich stated it was a privilege for him to serve the community the past four years, and that each Council member needs to stand up for what they believe and vote on what they believe in, even if it is not the way everyone else votes. APRIL 1 OATH OF OFFICE CEREMONY The City Clerk reminded Council, Council- elect, and outgoing Council of the Oath of Office Ceremony at 5: 30 pm on Wednesday, April 1. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:33 pm. APPROVED :. A i ATTE T. CITY CLERK Ive