Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 08-06-1998 Special — reading text

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING 155 OF mE CITY OF mRT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 6,1998 A special meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was held on Thursday, August 6, 1998. at 5: 30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, with the following members present: Mayor Glenda Glover I Councilmen: Clay Camatban Jim Dowling Chris Gibson Dean Covey Chuck Kelley Margie Collins Absent: Bob Campbell Also Present: Reid SilvertJoard, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Joyce Shanahan. Finance Director; Department Directors; media ii!..~~~~ i;i.~~ ._~_.~'~~, The Mayor called the meeting to order for the purpose of continuing the review and discussion of the proposed 1998/99 budget Discussion ensued regarding the pro-sbop renta1lease and its feasibility for the City and the individual who leases it;the ability for the golf club to remain competitive with other courses in the area without cutting back on the general upkeep of the courses or impacting the fee structure; and the proposed clubhouse study and the consolidation of services into one location to serve both courses. Council made DO cbanges to the proposed budget. The meeting recessed at 6: 20 p.OL iOi~ ~.:! The meeting reconvened at 6: 45 p.OL The Finance Director explained the utility tax fund accounts for revenue for the 1979 bond issue and it is a requirement of the bond issue tbat the City set aside a portion of utility tax until the bond is paid off. Council made no changes to the proposed budget. Discussion included the computer capital. lease for the purchase of the original computer system including software and I terminals. and the financing of the public safety computer. Council made no changes to the proposed budget. IT1'~ i Discussion ensued regarding the future development of the cemetery and how it will be funded. Council made no changes to the proposed budget. 156 ~ m Council discussed the subject of medians and their ut* eeP. The City Mana&er explained that the City does not have an individual with the technical expertise needed to properly maintain the medians. and that the crews are understaffed. He suggested that perhaps in the future a certain amount of money can be budgeted each year to gradually change out the medians as well as enhance medians not being worked on presently. Consideration should also be given to budgeting funds to contract some of the maintenance. fslAI1TIPICATlON Discussion ensued on the request received from the Beautification Committee that $ 2,000. 00 be allocated to put up the third gateway sign on Eglin PaJKway, and there is a current balance of $2, 038. 00 in the beautification account. Consensus of Council was tbat $2,000.00 be allocated in tbe 1998/99 budget for the tbird gateway sign. Review of the Non-Departmental budget included discussion on the amounts allocated in the accounts to cover expenditures for the humane society PAWS~ the deductible for property and general liability insurance~ and the city newsletter. OUTSIDE AG'INauj Discussion ensued on the suggestion that a certain amount of lOOney be designated for charitable organizations to be distributed by a central agency. No action was taken by Council Discussion ensued on the suggestion that one time seed money in the amount of $2, 500.00 be appropriated for the CAC Children's Advocacy Center. No action was taken by Council. Discussion ensued on the services provided by the EDC and the Chamber and whether or not the needs of the City are being met. 4~ f}; ~. 1J... -. l~ a: L-:~i! l::,,;.~ ! ;. :2~=~ ConleDsus of Council was to fund the Chamber of Commerce $25,000. 00. iii1 ConleDSUS of the majority of Council was to fund the EDC $25,000.00 Council requested that next year the per capita infonnation be provided with the EDC request for funds. Consensus of Council was to fund the MainStreet Program SJO,OOO. OO out of the CRA fund. No action was taken by Council on the requests for funding from the Elder Services of Okaloosa County, and Child Care Services. Discussion ensued on the accwnulated sick-leave policy and the proposed buy- back program to reduce the city liability. The Finance Director explained the prelinrinary scheduled carry over funds for the general fund projects budgeted for the current fiscal year or prior years is in the amount of $586, 000.00 and it is not necessary to reappropriate the funds because they have already been appropriated and the projects are still on- going and need to be canied over into the budget. The City Manager reported the Camellia Society requested $ 1, 100. 00 be budgeted for the purchase of camellias for beautification of City Hall property next to the auditorium and near the flag pole in the park area near Indian Temple Mound and Smith' s. No action was taken by Council.  8/ 6/98 157 The City Manager expJained Council passed resolutions that salary adjustments for the two Charter Officers. City Clerk and Finance Director. be considered during the budget workshops for the coming year. He stated the 3( ljustments are incorporated in the budaet and reco11U11elUk a 4. 5% increase for the Finance Director to be effective on her anniversary date November 1st, and a 4. 5% increase for the City Clerk to be effective the first full pay period in March. Mr. Covey moved. that the effective date of the salary adjustment for the Finance Director considered annually during budget workshops will be changed. from the fint fun pay period in Marcb to her anniversary date November lit. Motion was seconded by Mrs. Collins and canied unanimously witb Carnatban, Dowling, I Gibson, Keney, and Collins In favor (Campbell ableBt). Mr. Covey moved to approve a 4. 5% incrase for tbe Finance Director to be effective on ber anniversary date November 1st and a 4. 5% increue for the City Clerk to be effective the fint full pay period in March. Motion WaJ seconded by Mr. KeUey and carried unanimously witb Camatbu, Dowling, Gibson, Covey, Kelley, and Collins in favor (Campbell absent). TI~ The Mayor reported that reservations are being taken for companies to participate in a limited edition publication of KThe Rich Heritage of Fort Walton Beach and the Communities of the Emerald Coast" being promoted by the Chamber of Commerce and asked if Council was interested. Consensus of Council was to use funds out of the $ 25, 000. 00 appropriated to the Chamber of Commerce for FY 97/98. i There being no further business. the meeting a< ljoumed at 9: 00 p.m lir~ J. . ~ CITY CLERK {/ I