Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 10-13-2009 regular — reading text

from. The City Attorney advised it was adopted in September of 2008 with the new LDC and brings to the Engineering Services Director the authority to approve minor projects. The Board felt Staff has an obligation to ensure the Board is aware of such a monumental change,and expressed their shock at not being made aware of the change, and stated this change goes against everything they are working for in the CRA area. The City Attorney advised the Board was provided the LDC to review. Ms. Abell advised the amendments to the LDC took over a year and extended until September of last year. She stated she cannot tell what portions came before the CRA, but advised the City established a Business Retention Panel ( BRP) whose mission is to look at ways to provide economic stimulus and obstacles toward revitalization, and that the BRP identified different development standards for redevelopment. At the last meeting of the BRP, discussion ensued regarding increasing threshold for projects receiving staff review so there would be fewer projects to come before CRA or MPB, with the idea for infill and redevelopment to expedite the process. Ms. Abell explained Staff will keep the Board informed of conversations taking place regarding these projects so they will have input on what is being planned Mr. Covey advised the Board was invited to several workshops where the LDC was discussed, that he attended these workshops and reviewed the LDC, and that he was aware of changes to it. 154- CRA 09/ 02/ 09 PROGRESS OF PROJECTS ( CONT) Mr. Kennedy stated that is water under the bridge; that someone on Staff failed the Board miserably by not bringing that change to their attention, he is not sure who it is, they may be gone now, and it should not happen again, particularly with the Board' s role in the community and what they are trying to achieve in the CRA district. Mr. Tona advised he worked on a professional basis on the Joe and Eddie' s project and one of the demises of the project was the City's density requirements. The progress of projects continued. Soundside - -The City is doing everything possible to get this project moving, working with the developer to look at the City installing the infrastructure, and the developer is trying to get a HUD loan to increase the value of the land so the project can be developed. Boardwalk - -Staff has been working on grant opportunities for easements for the boardwalk through stimulus money, etc., and the City of Destin has the same concept for a boardwalk and their CRA is providing matching funds for construction of a boardwalk. Ms. Johnson received the Board' s agreement for Staff to continue discussions for grants opportunities. Ms. Abell discussed signatures received from property owners to move forward with obtaining easements in regards to a boardwalk. Habitat and Property on Methodist —Staff met with engineer who will be working on the project to discuss the best way to plot the property to begin construction. CRA BOARD MEMBER BUSINESS— ACCESSIBILITY QUESTIONS The Board agreed that in light of the City Attorney's opinion, they are doing as much as possible for public accessibility and there are no changes planned for location of the meetings. TOUR OF THE CRA AREA The next CRA tour will be on October 15 of the Uptown and Central City district, and the regular meeting of October 7 is cancelled. DIRECTOR /STAFF UPDATE Ms. Abell discussed setting up workshops to discuss the updates to the CRA Plan and to update and prioritize projects, and suggested one be held in December; and explained the overlay district discussed at the MPB meeting. PUBLIC INPUT Ray Seip„ 121 Nebraska Avenue, discussed his involvement with the LDC, that he read and reviewed it thoroughly and that he discussed his issues with Staff. Mr. Seip noted the changes taken to the MPB who is responsible for the document, and that CRA members did not get involved and therefore was not aware of the changes, and that each CRA member needs to take the time to review the document so they are informed of future happenings. NOVEMBER MEETING The regular meeting of the CRA scheduled for October 7 is cancelled; the walking tour will occur on Thursday, October 15. The next regular meeting of the CRA will be held on Wednesday, November 4, at 5: 30 pm in the Council Chambers of City Hall. BOARD COMMENT Mr.Kennedy advised he was very disappointed at a couple of things that occurred at the meeting between the CRA Board and the City Council. Mr. Kennedy stated when the Board is meeting and speaking as a board to the City Council, that is not the place for individual opinions to be brought up that conflict with the CRA, and it is not the place for comments about Gulf Power doing things for free when they don' t. Mr. Kennedy stated this was disruptive for Council. 155-  09/ 02/ 09 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7: 51 pm. Ive 156-  CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 13, 2009 Discussion - Direction - Action Action: Authorize the firm of Siver Insurance Consultants to negotiate the February 1, 2010 medical insurance renewal, and authorize same firm to issue an RFP to remarket medical insurance effective October 1, 2010. Synopsis: Expertise needed in light ofpotential 13 -17% increase in premiums Agenda Item Number: 9. 7  CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH MEMORANDUM DATE: October 1, 2009 TO: Robert T. Mearns, City Manager FROM: Mark Wiltsie, Administrative Services Director SUBJECT: 2009/ 10 Medical Insurance Renewal 1. Background 1. 1 As you know, the City' s medical insurance program, currently with Blue Cross Blue Shield ( BC /BS)of Florida, is up for renewal effective February 1, 2010. In prior years, staff has negotiated a renewal with BC /BS and last fiscal year we issued a Request for Quote ( RFQ). In that RFQ, BC /BS the only was respondent as other providers stated that they were unable to compete with BC /BS at that time. 2. Discussion 2. 1 For the upcoming February 1, 2010 renewal, staff is recommending utilizing the firm of Siver Insurance Consultants from St. Petersburg, FL to assist the City in negotiating our renewal. This recommendation is based on the following: 2. 1. 1 Approximately 2 -years ago, BC /BS paid an unusually large claim of approximately $ 2. 1 million dollars which, to some extent, affected our claims experience resulting in a 20% increase for the claim year commencing February 15 2009. Since that time, BC /BS has audited that single claim and are now receiving payments back from the medical facility which had been previously paid in regard to this claim. To ensure our renewal is calculated correctly a review by an expert in underwriting is necessary to analyze the actual payments made for this claim and determine the actual utilization by the members of this program for the claim year preceding the renewal date. 2. 1. 2 Siver Insurance Consultants is the only consulting firm in the State of Florida that we have experience with that has the expertise to review the underwriting information and data that will be used in conjunction with our February 1, 2010 renewal. Mr. Allan P. Waters with Siver Insurance Consultants has assisted the City in the past in negotiating our medical insurance renewal and has indicated that he would undertake this project for a fee not to exceed $ 5, 000. 2. 2 At this point, BC/ BS representatives have indicated our renewal increase will be in the 13 - 17% range and as such, the City may desire to consider an alternative 157-  medical ; insurance program which would result in a lesser increase for our upcoming; renewal. Mr. Waters would also assist in reviewing alternative programs and his fees would be included in the $ 5, 000 not to exceed amount identified. above. 2. 2. 1 In. addition, staff is recommending the City remarket its medical insurance program in the summer of 2010 for an effective date of October 1, 2010. Mr. Waters with Siver Insurance Consultants would facilitate this remarketing effort for a not to exceed amount of $20, 000. Staff is optimistic that this remarketing exercise will minimize future premium increases and /or avoid a further reduction in medical insurance coverage for our employees and retirees. 2. 2. 2 Administrative Policy 102 provides for exceptions to bids and proposal requirements for contracts for professional services involving a particular skill, ability, experience or expertise which are in their nature unique and not subject to competitive bidding. I would submit engaging the services of Siver Insurance Consultants in this regard, meets the exception noted in this administrative policy. 3. Financial 3. 1 If approved, a budget amendment would be necessary from Designated Fund Balance for Insurance. This designation currently has a balance of approximately $ 314K. The budget amendment would be prepared and submitted for City Council approval at a later date, once the actual amount of the expense has been determined. 4. Recommendation 4. 1 Based on. the above, staff recommends authorizing the firm of Siver Insurance Consultants to negotiate the February 1, 2010 medical insurance renewal for a not to exceed amount of $5, 000 and further authorize this firm to issue a RFP to remarket our medical insurance program with an effective date of October 1, 2010 for a not to exceed amount of $20, 000. Submitted by: Mark Wiltsie,(Admimstrative Services Director Concur: Brandy L. Wunker, Finan Director Reviewed for Agenda: / d / l1? ert T. Mearns, City Manager 158-  CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 13, 2009 Discussion - Direction - Action Action: Renewal of contract with The Advocacy Group at Cardenas Partners LLC. Synopsis: This will be the third year of this company representing the City on legislative matters in Tallahassee Agenda Item Number: 9. 8  CITE' OF FORT WALTON