Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 10-24-2006 ‎(regular)‎ — reading text

Destin, commented the southwest corner makes sense. He commented the Shalimar Annex is a usable asset and asked that it not be wasted. He expressed his support of preserving the fairgrounds, preserving the ball fields, and the joint use parking. Commissioner Roberts commented there are plans for the Shalimar Annex to be renovated for all the Constitutional Officer to move in. Dr. Pullen moved that the City and County staff get together with the idea that the City is interested in locating the Courthouse Annex at the Lewis Turner Boulevard site. Mr. Campbell seconded motion. Councilman Hartwell wondered ifthe Commissioners need to know how much the property would cost. Commissioner Campbell noted it is an issue as they have to be good stewards of the County' s money as well. Mr.Curry commented they are partners, it is something important to the community of Fort Walton Beach and it is something they can work together on as a team. Commissioner Roberts commented there are a lot of different alternatives that can be worked out and over the years the price of the annex has gone up and they are ready to move on a site, do the planning to get construction started. Councilman Holmes commented there are a lot of options and it needs to start somewhere. He felt that the City Manager and County Manager can negotiate to bring something back. Councilman Pullen requested that architect use the site to the best advantage for everyone. Councilman Minich thought it would still provide a buffer for Eglin A.F.B. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried by a vote of 6 to 1 with Holmes, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor and Patterson opposed. Mr. Curry commented it sounds like a critical part in the planning is how the facility will be configured on the property and he thought he and the City Manager could work in concert with the architect to look at different options on how it could fit. He mentioned he heard that parking is an issue, and to try to retain at least two of the ball fields, and they could work together to bring a couple of options on how it could go forward and be laid out. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 6: 55 p. m. APPROVED: MAYOR: ATTEST: CITY CLERK ddm  73 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA OCTOBER 10, 2006 INTRODUCTION A Council Workshop Meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was held on Tuesday, October 10, 2006, at 5: 30 p. m. wth the following members present: Mayor Mike Anderson Councilmen: Mike Holmes, Bob Campbell, Jim Tucker, Dr. Wayne Pullen, and Mike Minich Absent: Bill Patterson and Jim Hartwell 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. ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER Discussion of Robert' s Rules of Order The Mayor explained he requested this be placed on the agenda so they can talk about Robert' s Rules of Order and how the meetings should be run. He said Robert' s Rules of Order helps to manage the procedural part of the meetings, and then there is courtesy, Le. wait to be recognized, do not talk over people, etc., which should be primary, and admitted at times he has been rude, discourteous and violated Robert' s Rules of Order. He said everyone' s input and thoughts are important, and everyone needs an opportunity to be heard and at times he sensed that members of the Council and members of the audience are intimidated when they are challenged or attacked and it stifles the exchange of ideas. He said when anyone speaks to accept their input and ask for clarification if needed, and not challenge their input. He asked if there were any questions or comments on how he would like to run the meetings. Dr. Pullen commented that the majority of the meetings are run very well, everyone makes mistakes and has to be pulled in once in a while, and he could not find any criticism other than they all need correction once in a while. He agreed they should be courteous, and commented they did not have to agree with each other but they should treat others as they would like to be treated, with courtesy and respect. The Mayor said if they would all agree to wait to be recognized before speaking, and if there is a point of order, to state point of order, then the person speaking should stop so he can recognize the point of order to hear if it is valid. He also pointed out that side conversations are and if inappropriate someone needs clarification on an issue, to ask. Mr. Tucker wished to know if an example would be when Toni Simms was before Council and he wanted to question Mrs. Simms but there was hesitancy of the Mayor to allow Council to question a citizen about their comments. The Mayor stated asking for clarification is fine, but not to attack the comments or pass judgment. He explained that Council was not the forum to evaluate the validity of Ms. Simms complaint. 74 1 0- 1 0- 06 Council Workshop ROBERTS RULES cant. Dr. Pullen commented that everything should be posed as a question and once in a while it is not phrased exactly right when asking a question. He asked if the Mayor would like the City Attomey to act as the Parliamentarian. The Mayor stated that he and the City Attomey talked about it and thought that as part of her job she is the Parliamentarian. Mr. Tucker commented there were times he felt his capacity to express himself was being squelched because he was not as well versed in the parliamentarian rules as others, and liked the idea for the City Attorney to let Council know when they are going down the wrong road. He commented that the Sunshine Law prohibitsthem from calling each other to discuss issues. He wants Council to be able to discuss an issue at infinitum if need be and he wants Council to never lose the capacity to express itself. He said he is always sorry when he speaks out of turn but he will not allow any form to interfere with his capacity to express himself because he feels strongly in the right of the people for their representatives to say what they want to say. The Mayor commented, as an example, he was unsure he could participate in workshop discussion as his role is a facilitator of meetings. He brought up the possibility of setting up Special Rules of Participation in a workshop meeting because in the strictest sense of the Robert' s Rules, he facilitates the meetings and does not participate in a meeting. Mr. Holmes agreed he would like to hear the Mayor' s input on some of the issues and Council may need to look at some way to allow it in workshop meetings. Mr. Campbell commented the Mayor does a good job. He mentioned Council has been given points in the bulletins from the City Attorney and hoped Council will follow them. He said he wanted to hear advice from the City Attorney ang not for anyone on Council to tell him he is right or wrong. He did not have a problem with anyone on Council asking questions and thought there needs to be a little more leniency. Mr. Minich stated as a member of Council he could raise a point of order at any time and the Mayor will rule on it. He said Robert' s Rules is specifically used so that everyone can speak and have an equal chance to speak. He said perhaps he has been over zealous in the use of Robert' s Rules; he has taken advice from the City Attomey and leamed his lesson. The City Attomey stated she likes rules herself and her awareness of the rules has been increased. She said at any time anyone on Council can appeal decisions that are made among themselves, that if the Mayor makes a decision and someone wants to appeal then it is left to Council to rule on that issue. She noted that could be quite time consuming and her concern is when Robert' s Rules are used to the fullest extent, it consumes valuable time and it could put Council off point of the agenda item they are dealing with. She said anytime she can help, she will and believed her role is secondary to the Mayor's, and he should be running the meeting. She said Council needs to discuss and thrash through the issues and whether or not Robert' s Rules comes into play or she has to make a ruling, it is up to Council on whether or not to ask her. She mentioned her contract does not state she is the Parliamentarian but if it could be clear that what it means under Robert' s Rules is that the Chair makes a ruling, and only if the Chair has a question he would ask her; but at any time any of Council can appeal a decision that is made by the Chair or the Parliamentarian and place it before Council. The Mayor stated that before a motion is made it is discussion from the public and amongst the Council, and once a motion is made it is just Council discussion.  75 Council Workshop 1 0- 1 0- 06 ROBERTS RULES cont. Mr.Tucker commented he liked it when the Mayor has allowed others to speak as long as the issue is not belabored. Mr. Holmes wished to know the mechanism for asking a question after a motion has been made and Council is in discussion. The Mayor stated Council can ask for additional input for clarification. The City Attomey pointed out that depending on the issue before Council, there may be different procedures. She explained on quasi-judicial issues there is an outstanding issue of making sure all the facts are before Council, so it may be