Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 06-13-06 regular minutes — reading text

I something going wrong in the City that Dr. Pullen knows about, he has a duty to tell them, then Council will make the decision. He said not to go in single handed to investigate a complaint as that is what staff is for.  Regular Meeting 06/ 13/ 06 239 COUNCIL CONDUCT ( CONTI Dr. Pullen replied everything he requested is public record and he has been advised that he has not lost his rights as a citizen and can walk in to any section and ask for any file he wants, read any file he wants because they are public records. He stated he has never requested anything other than public records. He said the citizens elected him to represent them and he plans on representing them, and a person cannot represent someone if they do not know what is going on, information is a key to doing the job. He said the Charter says that the City is the responsibility of the Council and until they meet here, as an individual responsibility he will try to fulfill his responsibility to the citizens of the City. He said he would agree with this and acknowledged he knew what was referred to, a personnel matter he referred, and acknowledged when someone tells him they heard something about certain people he had no authority to investigate and to turn it over to the City Manager to l; investigate. He acknowledged he did not have the right to investigate the personnel of the City because they work for the City Manager. Mr. Minich referenced the Procedures Manual that states an inquiry of a City Official on city business must not require the expenditure of an unreasonable amount of time on the part of staff, and Council has a responsibility to police and correct any problem among the members of Council. He commented some see it as a problem and expressed his opinion it needs to stop. Mr. Hartwell expressed concern putting constraints and it is too vague on what is expected of any Councilman. He wished to know at what point his rights stop to go ask the City Manager a request for information, what is unreasonable. Mr. Minich pointed out that Council' s rights do not stop, that Dr. Pullen only has to state the purpose for his request, and if the City Manager believes it is too tedious she refers it to Council. He noted it only refers to Dr. Pullen because of the past history. Mr. Holmes inte~ected it stepped over the line when there was an issue of employee personnel and thought the City Manager has never denied a request of any Council member, but it seems the requests they see is astronomical in the amount of paper work. He asked that Council be told what it is for so they do not have to second guess what is going on. He asked if the people are going to Dr. Pullen, why they are not going to the other six Council members. Dr. Pullen replied he did not know why people go to him. The Mayor commented there is a perception out there about why Dr. Pullen is doing this, which is why they go to Dr. Pullen because they think they have an ally in undermining the City and the City Manager' s authority. Mr. Minich commented all Council members have people who go to them; which is what they are there for, but Council has to establish a trust with the City Manager and they refer them to her. He said the City Manager has never denied him and he goes to her to get the straight story. He said Council is supposed to represent the people and be their ombudsman to the City and then go to the City Manager and have her investigate and give them a satisfactory answer. Mr. Tucker expressed his discomfort with the action of the motion. Mr. Campbell acknowledged it is a tough situation but Council reprimands or says something to Dr. Pullen and he continues. He expressed that his biggest problem is that Dr. Pullen is running off the staff. Mr. Tucker wished to know if Dr. Pullen had done anything that is in violation of the rules, or what he had done wrong with the employees of the City, and asked for a specific instance. Mr. Minich stated that all complaints, all investigations, are supposed to be referred to the City Manager.  Regular Meeting 06/ 13/ 06 240 COUNCIL CONDUCT ( CONTI Mr. Patterson expressed reluctance taking an action that will limit the Council's power in the future. The Mayor noted it is up to Council to police themselves, and at this time Council is policing Dr. Pullen, not anyone else. Mr. Holmes stated Council is here to set policy, not to administer the every day operations of staff, and repeated if Dr. Pullen is not happy with someone Council has the authority to appoint, then make a motion to fire and if there is support, then it will happen. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it failed by a vote of 3 to 4 with Holmes, Campbell, and Minich in favor and Patterson, Tucker, Pullen, and Hartwell opposed. CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD APPOINTMENT I Consideration of appointment to the Code Enforcement Board. Mr. Campbell moved to re- appoint Henry Faccinl, 120 Destin Drive, to the Code Enforcement Board for a 3 year term until 6- 12-09. Dr. Pullen seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. BEAUTIFICATIONrrREE BOARD REPRESENTATIVE TO VISION PLAN Consideration of appointment of a Beautification Committeerrree Board representative to the Vision Plan Stewardship Committee. Mr. Tucker moved to appoint Susan Clark as the Beautification Committeerrree Board representative to the Vision Plan Stewardship Committee until 5- 26-07. Mr. Patterson seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. MAYOR/COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Holmes expressed appreciation on the efforts of the Police Chief, the City Manager and staff on the clean up efforts of crime on Carson drive; thanked the City Attomey, staff and Council for support of the wrecker ordinances. Mr. Holmes received confirmation that a date will be set regarding a workshop on the bridge as soon as possible. The Mayor commented it is important to advertise it as a meeting to prepare a City response to the Transportation Corridor Authority on the bridge. He asked individuals not to offer alternatives for Council to consider as it will be more of a discussion on a position the City should take. Mr. Tucker questioned whether the City has to only consider the Brooks Bridge and the Hollywood Bridge. The Mayor noted that is what they asked the City but the City can provide any response they want because they asked for City input to their planning. The City Manager offered that Council can provide a response on what Council feels is appropriate for the community. She mentioned that staff will develop what they would like to see. Mr. Patterson thanked the City Manager for taking quick action on a Carson drive issue. He mentioned his comfort in opening the meetings with a prayer asking for guidance. Mr. Campbell echoed the appreciation expressed regarding the Carson Drive project; and that the Billy Bowlegs festival and parade went well and the police did an excellent job. Mr. Tucker also expressed his appreciation regarding the efforts to stop crime on Carson Drive. I' I l,  Regular Meeting 06/ 13/ 06 241 MAYOR/COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS ( CONT) Dr. Pullen applauded the citizens of Carson Drive for their efforts to stop crime in the area. He said he will speak with the City Manager on problems he heard regarding Bella Del Mar. He also shared information from a TPO simulation which demonstrated that the removal of the light at Perry and Miracle Strip then making it one- way traffic going north on Perry for one block can increase the service across the bridge by 30%. The Mayor mentioned the simulation will be given at the TPO meeting on Thursday to show different traffic flow scenarios. Mr. Hartwell commented on the positive actions of the Police Chief. The Mayor applauded staff on the Kids Day event last Thursday. He mentioned his attendance at the Emerging Leadership Program for City Employees and commented it is impressive what the City is trying to do for its internal to growing supervisors and leaders within the City, and that the next step will be a five week seminar program on how to become successful. He mentioned the Bowlegs festival was an enjoyable event and thanked the firefighter for driving the antique fire truck in the parade and the Rangers for participating in the skirmish on Friday evening. CITY MANAGER ANNOUNCEMENTS The City Manager thanked Council for their support on the positive actions taking place on Carson Drive; congratulated the 14- year old All- Stars Baseball team headed toward the State Championship in Tallahassee on July 8th; reminded Council that the Friends of the Library will hold a reception at the Fort Walton Beach library on June 15 from 4: 00 - 6: 00 pm to celebrate the completion of the library enhancement project; and mentioned library programs that are going to be held. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:40 p. m. APPROV~ /~ c;1, '), Jech MAYOR: ~~, rf C TV CLERK ~ ddm I"""  FORM 88 MEMORANDUM OF VOTING CONFLICT FOR COUNTY, MUNICIPAL, AND OTHER lOCAL PUBLIC OFFICERS LAST NAME- FIRST NAME- MIDDLE NAME NAME OF BOARD, COUNCIL, COMMISSION, AUTHORITY, OR COMMITTEE Holmes. Michael City Council MAILING ADDRESS THE BOARD, COUNCIL, COMMISSION, AUTHORITY OR COMMITTEE ON 114 Edwards Lane NE WHICH I SERVE IS A UNIT OF: CITY II CITY [ J COUNTY [ J OTHER LOCAL AGENCY CO~ NTY r Walton Fort Beach o aloosa NAME OF POlITICAL SUBDIVISION: DATE ON WHICH VOTE OCCURRED City of Fort Walton Beach MY POSITION IS: June 13, 2006