Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 03-13-2012 - regular — reading text

Pagel Pruned311512011  249 Regular Meeting Minutes March 13, 2012 RESULT: ADOPTED [ UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dick Rynearson, Council Seat 7 SECONDER: Bull Rigdon, Council Seat 6 AYES: Griggs, gossom, Reeves, Goodwin, Nabors, Rigdon, Rynearson ABSENT: Mike Anderson 15. CITY MANAGER REPORTS L 1. Police Department - Status Update Synopsis: The City Manager will provide an update to Council on the progress of the review of the Sheriffs proposal to provide law enforcement services to the City. The City Manager stated the Police Chief has informed him that his review of the Statement of Work for police services will be completed on March 19 and will be turned over to the Finance Department for evaluation and analysis. He continued that several issues have been identified that are problematic in the analysis, most importantly the evaluation of the Police Pension, which is a major piece of the financial part of this issue. The City Manager informed an actuarial review would need to be done at a cost of $20,000 and stated he does not have that spending authority. The City Manager further advised that per the direction of Council the City Attorney has sent a request to the Florida Department of Ethics for a final opinion whether a conflict of interest exists regarding Mr. Griggs and the police consolidation issue. The City Attorney informed the Commission will not be meeting until the end of March so he does not expect a response until mid -April. The City Manager emphasized he wants to ensure Council has all the necessary facts and information before he sets a date for a special meeting and requested Council direction. Discussion ensued regarding whether the Police Pension Plan could be converted to a defined contribution pension plan as was done with the General Employees Pension Plan. Brandy Ferris, Finance Director, advised the Police Pension Plan is protected under Chapter185 and Council cannot make any changes to that plan. A lengthy discussion was held regarding the proposed plan by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) whereby municipalities would declare pension projections as a liability on their financial statements, which would give the appearance that a municipalities liabilities are greater than their assets and would prevent cities from borrowing in the future for any purpose. The City Manager stated the issues of pensions are very deep and discussions will be held in April to ensure Council has a full understanding of the issue before the budget workshops. Dr. gossom stated her thoughts of the importance of having vacant or unused property within the City back into the tax rolls to generate revenue and add to the base in the city. She discussed the need to look long term and take the assets the City has and utilize and leverage them for financial responsibility. City Council of Fort Walton Beach Page 5 Printed 311512012 250 Regular Meeting Minutes March 13, 2012 Dr. gossom noted the new courthouse on Lewis Turner and the lack of amenities in the area to support it, and that there is 26 acres of City property the courthouse sits on that could generate revenue if it were put back into the tax base. She also discussed the many opportunities contained in the CRA Plan and the possibility of hiring an in -house employee to serve as an economic developer. Mr. Nabors stated his agreement with Dr. gossom' s idea of revenue generation as an important part of the financial aspect, but disagreed with the hiring of an in -house city employee to sell properties. Dr. gossom clarified she was talking about an economic development professional to market and promote the City as a whole, and not someone to physically sell City properties. The City Manager also informed that several roads not owned by the City in the Country Club area are being maintained by the City, and that he and Michael Beedie will attend the County Commissioners Meeting on March 20 to discuss the County releasing the roads to the City. 16. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS The City Attorney advised he forwarded memos to Council regarding the issue of referendums on the police consolidation issue and the sheriffs comments regarding the proposed police contract, and would answer any questions or clarify any issues that Council might have. He advised that according to the City's Charter, non -binding referendums can be held but the result does not bind the Council in any way. Discussion included the deadlines to get a referendum on the ballot for the primary, general, and municipal elections and that the deadline for the general election in November is August. It was noted there is no charge to get a referendum on the ballot, the only cost is for advertising. Mr. Goodwin stated his feeling that a non -binding referendum on the issue of police services be placed on the ballot for the general election in November. He noted the importance of the issue and that it may not bind Council legally but would politically. Consensus was for the City Manager to place on the March 27, 2012 Council agenda for discussion and direction the issue of a non -binding referendum for the general election in November. 17. MAYOR/ COUNCIL COMMENTS Mr. Rigdon expressed concern regarding rumors among the public regarding the police services issue. Mr. Rigdon also expressed displeasure at not receiving the minutes of the meetings of the Police Pension Board in a timely manner. The City Clerk advised that Staff from her office attendsattends thethe meetingsmeetings andand takestakes thethe minutes,minutes, whichwhich sheshe furnishesfurnishes toto Council,Council, butbut theythey areare notnot thethe official minutes of the Board. The City Manager advised the only jurisdiction Council has over the police and fire pension boards is they can appoint two people to the boards. Mr. Rigdon stated he would like to see the official minutes from the Boards as Council needs to know what occurs at the meetings. City Canned ofFart Walton Beach Page 6 Printed 311512012  251 Regular Meeting Minutes March 13, 2012 Mr. Rynearson noted that 800 youth have signed up for spring sports, 500 for soccer and 800 for baseball. He thanked the Finance Director and Department for their work on the audit and the organizational chart, which shows the citizens of Fort Walton Beach at the top of the chart. Mr. Rynearson also personally thanked the 298 full -time and 36 part-time employees of the City, stating they are the unsung heroes of the City, ensuring that all City services are carried out even during these tough economic times. Mr. Reeves advised he relocated his business to downtown Fort Walton Beach on March 1 and he is pleased with his decision to move downtown. 18. ADJOURNMENT: 7: 15 pm Approved: Mayor: Attest: City Clerk City Comed ofFon Walton Beach Page 7 Printed31152012