Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 01-08-08 regular agenda — reading text

expressed his thoughts that Council become as familiar as possible with the issue and its impact, and whether or not Council should go on record opposing this referendum. Discussion ensued whether it would be appropriate to publish the resolution in the newspaper prior to the January 29 ballot to ensure the citizens are aware of it. The City Manager stated it would be appropriate to publish a resolution that Council adopted; however, in that respect Council would be lobbying citizens to vote against the tax amendment as it is brought forward. The City Manager stated her feeling that it is agreed the tax issue needs to be corrected and that the amendment does not ' correct some of the issues such as unfunded mandates and maintaining home rule, and that Council has been fiscally responsible in their handling of taxes. The City Manager acknowledged the importance of maintaining some level of tax base so that Council is able to dictate a tax level based on what the citizens want, and this resolution does not allow Council this flexibility. Mr. Minich moved to suspend Roberts Rules of Order for this discussion. Mr. Hartwell seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. Further discussion included the general citizenry may not understand the resolution because of the complex language, and agreed that Council should be educated on the issue so they could make it clearer for the citizens. David deVaux, 348 Marie Circle, urged Council not to pass the resolution. No action was taken by Council at this time. The Mayor asked the Finance Director to provide him with updated financials for his upcoming talk with the League of Women Voters. SCHEDULE STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION Consideration of a request to authorize the City Manager to schedule a strategic planning session and to secure the services of Dr. Herb Marlowe as facilitator as outlined. The City Manager mentioned the belief expressed that the annual strategic planning session each year is more of a tactical session rather than a strategic session. She said Dr. Marlowe suggested a more in depth process. She explained first would be an environmental scan with input from the general public, second would be the strategic session with one day with staff and one day with Council, and then move forward with the actual strategic plan. During some discussion it was commented that the fee this year is doubled and it was hoped that Dr. Marlowe would not dilute the tactical planning that has been done in the past.  12/ 11/ 07 Regular Council 258 STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION ( CONTI The City Manager Council noted there would be five sessions with Dr. Marlowe this year versus the one in the past, which will- push the timeframe back but would still be day session with completed in time for the budget process. The Mayor opened the floor for public input. Bill Patterson, 35 Anastasia, suggested that the previous years strategic sessions be reviewed to see how much has really been accomplished. The City Manager noted that staff does update Council on each of the priorities and what has been accomplished. David deVaux, 348 Marie Circle, commented if Council wanted to know what the citizens really want there should be a citizens committee run by the citizens and not by staff. There was no further input from the public. strategic Mr. Hartwell moved to authorize the City Manager to schedule Dr. Pullen seconded sessions with Dr. Marlowe for $ 8, 000 plus meals and lodging.Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, Miller, Reeves, motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, and Minich in favor. COMMUNITY BUDGET REQUESTS TO LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION Consideration -of submitting Community Budget Requests for the City of Fort Walton Beach to the Okaloosa County Legislative Delegation for consideration in their upcoming legislative session. The City Manager wentSheovermentioned the threetheprojects staff suggests submitting to the Okaloosa three projects have been submitted for consideration Legislative Delegation. for the last three years but never received funds, although the burn tower did get approved it did not get past the Governor, and this year the Advocacy Group will assist the City in presenting the issues. submit to Representative the following projects to Mr. Garvie moved to approve legislative in the upcoming Sansom' s office by January 4, 2008, for consideration session: 1) Funding assistance to extend the reuse water system from the golf Club area to the adjacent properties of Lewis Turner Boulevard, the Citydrainage Softball Complex and3) basin; and the Fairgrounds; 2) Improve stormwater drainage in Eglin Parkway burn" building at Station 7 on Lewis Funding assistance to replace the drill tower and " motion and it carried unanimously with Turner Boulevard. Mr. Reeves seconded Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE ON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD Consideration of appointment of a Council representative and an alternate to serve on the Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board. Mr. Minich nominated Mayor Anderson to serve as Council representative and Bill Garvie to serve as the alternate on 2008, the Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board from January 1, and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, 2008 through December 31, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE ON HEADSTART BOARD Consideration of appointment of a Council representative and an alternate to serve on the Headstart Board. Regular Council 12/ 11/ 07 259 HEADSTART BOARD ( CONT) Mr. Minich nominated Dr. Wayne Pullen to serve as Council representative on the Headstart Board from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008, and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. Mr. Garvie nominated Mike Minich to serve as the alternate on the Headstart Board from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008, and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE ON NWF FAIR BOARD Consideration of a Council representative to serve on the Northwest Florida Fair Board. Mr. Minich nominated Virgil Miller to serve as Council representative on the Northwest Florida Fair Board from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008, and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. Mr. Holmes nominated Jim Hartwell to serve as the alternate on the Northwest Florida Fair Board from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008, and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE ON OKALOOSA COUNTY GAS BOARD Consideration of a Council representative to serve on the Okaloosa County Gas Board. Mr. Minich nominated Dennis Reeves to serve as Council representative on the Okaloosa County Gas District Board for a four -year term, from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2012. Dr. Pullen nominated Bill Garvie to serve as Council representative on the Okaloosa County Gas District Board for a four -year term, from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2012. The Mayor advised the voting would be by alphabetical order. The Mayor called for the vote on the nomination of Bill Garvie to serve as Council representative on the Okaloosa County Gas District Board for a four -year term, from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2012, and it failed by a vote of 3 to 4 with Garvie, Pullen, and Hartwell in favor and Holmes, Miller, Reeves, and Minich opposed. The Mayor called for the vote on the nomination of Dennis Reeves to serve as Council representative on the Okaloosa County Gas District Board for a four -year term, from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2012, and it carried by a vote of 4 to 3 with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, and Minich in favor and Garvie, Pullen, and Hartwell opposed. Discussion ensued regarding whether representatives should be appointed to the Gas Board for two -year terms to coincide with the elections in the event the representative is not re- elected. It was noted the representative to the Board can be a citizen and not necessarily a Council representative, and no changes were made in the term of the appointment. MAYOR/COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Holmes mentioned the draft Heritage Walk pamphlet and that it has a lot of information. He thanked everyone for their participation in the parade and wished everyone a happy holiday. Mr. Miller wished everyone a Merry Christmas and happy new year. He also noted the improved decorum of Council the past few meetings and that he has enjoyed serving the past few months with council and staff.  Regular Council 12/ 11/ 07 260 MAYOR/ COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS ( CONT) Mr. Reeves wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a good new year. Mr. Garvie discussed the trip he took to Clayton County, Georgia, to observe and study the way they addressed the need for water and that is was a proactive approach to a possibility of water shortages in this area in the future. Dr. Pullen wished everyone a merry Christmas and happy new year, and echoed Mr. Garvie's comments on the water. He also recognized the city clerk for her efforts on the Christmas parade. Mr. Hartwell expressed appreciation for participating in the parade, and wished everyone happy holidays. Mr. Mi.nich also enjoyed the Christmas parade, and that he and his wife were MC's for the He also lighting of the Christmas tree and that it was a wonderful community event. commended city staff stating they are dedicated and good for the city. Mayor Anderson mentioned he liked the new format of the weekly reports that included project