Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 08-26-08 regular agenda — reading text

BID 08 -122, PURCHASE OF DUCTILE IRON PIPE fi Award Bid # 08 -122, Purchase of Ductile Iron Pipe, to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder Tallahassee, Florida, for a total cost of $44, 848. 38. meeting specifications, Carter' s Erosion and Pipe, MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT, CITY AND HURLBURT Approve the Mutual Aid Agreement between the City of Fort Walton Beach and Hurlburt Field Fire Emergency Services Flight, and authorize the Mayor and the Fire Chief to sign on behalf of the City. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, COUNTY RADIO SYSTEM USE Approve the Memorandum of Understanding titled Okaloosa County Radio System Use, and authorize the Mayor and the Fire Chief to sign on behalf of the City. UNITED WAY DAY OF CARING 2008 Authorize up to 15 City employees to volunteer one -half day during regular work hours in support of Way' ss Day of Caring 2008 on September 12, 2008, utilizing whatever equipment may be the United Way' necessary to assist United Way agency clients, and approve payment of $250 Corporate Sponsorship Fee. RATIFY PAYMENT TO ALLEN NORTON AND BLUE Ratify payment to Allen Norton and Blue in the amount of $17, 896. 96 ( previously paid) and authorize payment of the pending invoices in the amount of $15, 357. 00. DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE AND BEAL PARKWAY NEIGHBORHOOD Consideration of a request to approve the Civil Plans and Specifications for the Downtown Streetscape and Beal Parkway Neighborhood Gateway Park Improvements; and approve advertising a Request for Proposals for a general contractor. Christy Johnson, Principal Planner, relayed that Michael Bomar of Tetra Tech will give a presentation She on the final construction plans for the downtown streetscape and Beal Parkway Neighborhood. reported the CRA Board recommended City Council approve the plans as presented and to authorize staff to advertise a request for proposals. She said staff recommends Council approve the CRA recommendation. Regular Council 8 - 12 -08 209 DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE AND BEAL PARKWAY NEIGHBORHOOD cont. Michael Bomar, of Tetra Tech, gave a power point presentation which described the sequence of construction of the downtown streetscape improvements on the north and south sides of Miracle Strip Parkway beginning at the west end of Brooks Street SE to the Brooks Bridge that will include sidewalk pavers from the right -of w - ay to the property line, the removal of all Bradford Pear trees and Oak trees to be replaced with Sable Palm trees, and explained that the work will be done between 8: 00 p.m. and 8: 00 a.m.; described the Beal Parkway Neighborhood Gateway Park Improvements that will include a clock tower, traffic calming elements, and landscaping; and explained that the next step is to advertise for bids to award a contract in October for the construction to begin and completed in May 2009. There was a question on the overall plan to extend the streetscape down to the east end of Beal Parkway. Ms. Johnson explained the initial design work for the tree replacement plan was only for the project area in the downtown area and the CRA has endorsed a second phase of the project to Beal Parkway. She said they hope to be able to design that next fiscal year and there is funding in the proposed budget. There was a question on what has been done to encourage the private property owners to participate, and how it will be addressed to integrate them into the project. Ms. Johnson mentioned many of the property owners have expressed an interest in continuing the pavers to the store entrances and staff will continue to work with those who have not expressed an interest to encourage them to participate. She explained that the plan to integrate them into the project is to offer a 50/ 50 matching streetscape grant as an incentive to continue the paver stones from the property line to the storefront. The Mayor opened the floor for public input. He said the CRA Bobby Nabors, representing the CRA Board, addressed the tree replacement issue. Board voted -twice for 100% tree replacement of the Bradford Pear trees and the Oak trees ( except those at the Indian Temple Mound) and rejected staffs recommendation that eight Oak trees located adjacent to public property remain. He explained in the interest of the design when the plan was implemented and agreed upon the concept was based on early Fort Walton Beach and the history of the City where there were all Palm trees in the downtown area, and they believed it important to establish continuity of design. The City Manager confirmed the plan presented tonight is what the CRA recommended for 100% tree replacement of the Bradford Pear trees and the Oak trees. There was no one further from the public who wished to speak. Mr. Garvie moved to approve the Civil Plans and Specifications for the Downtown Streetscape and Beal Parkway Neighborhood Gateway Park Improvements, as presented, and approve advertising a Request for Proposals for a general contractor. Mr. Minich seconded motion. During some discussion on the removal of the Oak trees it was pointed out the trees are relatively new and not historical and the roots have begun to buckle the sidewalk that presents a safety hazard; and hope was expressed that there will be 100% participation by the property owners on the sidewalk improvement with paver stones.  Regular Council 8 -12 -08 210 DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE AND BEAL PARKWAY NEIGHBORHOOD cont. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, and Minich in favor (Miller and Hartwell absent). GENERAL PUBLIC Comments from General Public on matters of City business not otherwise on the agenda. Julie Terrell, Director of the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance ( CBA), presented an overview of the various functions of the CBA and advised she will present pertinent information to Council at the budget hearings next week regarding continued City support. LANDMARK EXTENSION REQUEST Consideration of a request by Emerald Coast Partners, LLC for a 12 month extension of Development Order for Landmark Center located at 223 Miracle Strip Parkway and 206 Perry Avenue, as outlined in the backup report. The City Attorney gave the oath to all individuals who expected to speak. Christy Johnson, Principal Planner, reported Council approved the Development Order August 10, 2007, that the applicant has requested a 12 month extension, the CRA Board recommended approval She on July 2, 2008, and staff recommends approval of the Development Order until August 12, 2009. submitted the staff report into the record. Bruce Houle, applicant Emerald Coast Partners, confurned there are no changes from the original approval and they are ready to break ground. It was mentioned a citizen called about the phases of construction and the concern was expressed the garage will be built first and the Landmark will not be built. Mr. Houle stated the original intention was to build the parking garage and the Landmark Center simultaneously but it was difficult from the banking perspective to do the project simultaneously because of security lien issues with respect to the parking deck being on City land, their land and the lease. He said they separated the parking deck out to start first because the construction documents for the parking deck are simpler than the construction documents for a 122, 000 sq. ft. mixed use four story building. He said they are about two weeks away to get a permit for the foundation and the construction documents for the building is about 50% complete and once completed they will submit to the City to start the building. He said they have the financing on both entities and the interest they are getting from the commercial and national retail customers is exciting. The question was raised what would happen if the garage is built then they do not get financing for the rest of the project. Mr. Houle stated they have the financing, and they are not interested in building a parking deck without a building to go with it. The Mayor opened the public hearing. As no one wished to speak the public hearing was closed. Mr. Minich moved to approve the request by Emerald Coast Partners, LLC for a 12 month extension of Development Order for Landmark Center located at 223 Miracle Strip Parkway and 206 Perry Avenue. Mr. Holmes seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, and Minich in favor (Miller and Hartwell absent). Regular Council 8 -12 -08 211 ORD. 1757, AMENDMENT TO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN The City Attorney read the ordinance by title. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA; AMENDING DIRECTIONS —THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH. 2008, PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 163 OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES; PROVIDING FOR AUTHORITY; PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITY ELEMENT; AMENDING THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ELEMENT TO ACCOMMODATE NEW PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITY ELEMENT; AMENDING INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION ELEMENT TO ACCOMMODATE NEW PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES ELEMENT; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS AND SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Samantha Abell, Senior Planner CDS Department reportedCity received the Objectives, the Recommendation and Comment report from the Department of Community Affairs and staff continues to coordinate with the County and all cities in the Interlocal Agreement. She said this was brought back to the Municipal Planning Board on August 7, 2008 for information and they did make a recommendation, and further Dr. Bill Smith with Okaloosa County School District will be available on 26th August for any comments Council may have but tonight he is with the City of Niceville as they consider their adoption of their Public School Facilities Element. She said staff request continuance of the ordinance until August 26, 2008. Mr. Minich moved to continue Ord. 1757 to the August 26, 2008 Council meeting. Mr. Reeves seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, and Minich in favor (Miller and Hartwell absent). ORD. 1765:..REZONE 214 STOKES AVENUE AND 220 STOKES AVENUE The City Attorney read the ordinance by title. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA, RELATING TO THE REZONING =OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 214 STOKES AVENUE SOUTHEAST AND 220