Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 03-25-14--regular — reading text

Board, two vacancies are for regular appointments and one vacancy is for an alternate appointment. He further advised there are five applications for the three vacancies, and suggested voting for each on an individual basis. The City Clerk advised the terms are for three years, beginning March 25, 2014 through September 30, 2014; then for three years from October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2017 in accordance with the Land Development Code. The applicants are Tracy Acree, William Avery, Michael Bridwell, and Bill Robinson. Sharon Trenary is currently an alternate on the Board and has stated her desire to be appointed a regular member. Mr. Mead nominated Tracy Avery for a regular member appointment. Dr. gossom nominated Sharon Trenary for a regular member appointment. Mr. Rynearson nominated Bill Robinson for the alternate position. Mr. Holmes nominated Mr. Bridwell for a regular member appointment. Mr. Rynearson re- nominated Bill Robinson for a regular member appointment. There were no further nominations. It was noted some of the applicants were present if Council wanted to hear from them. Mr. Acree discussed his background and experience in construction and his knowledge, that he has been in the business for 30 years, and he is familiar with the code enforcement process. Mr. Bridwell stated he does residential contract repairs and maintenance for residences, businesses, and churches, and is familiar with the code enforcement process. Mr. Robinson stated he has no code enforcement experience but would like to volunteer for the community. Ms. Trenary was not present. Mr. Mead disclosed that Mr. Acree is a client and a friend of the family, and after conferring with the City Attorney, was advised there is no professional conflict and he can vote in the matter. The City Attorney confirmed he could find no reasons for Mr. Mead not to vote. Mr. Mead gave his support for Mr. Acree. The City Manager suggested votes be taken with a show of hands. The vote on the nomination of Tracy Acree as a regular member carried unanimously with Griggs, gossom, Mead, Holmes, Jamieson, Rigdon, and Rynearson in favor. City Council ofFort lValton Beach Page 5 Printed 312612014 Regular Meeting Minutes March 25, 2014 The vote on the nomination of Michael Bridwell as a regular member carried by five votes with Griggs, Holmes, Jamieson, Rigdon, and Rynearson voting. The vote on the nomination of Bill Robinson as a regular member carried by four votes with gossom, Griggs, Holmes, and Rynearson voting. The vote on the nomination of Sharon Trenary as a regular member carried by two votes with gossom and Jamieson voting. The City Attorney stated that based on the results, Mr. Acree and Mr. Bridwell have been appointed to the Code Enforcement Board, as regular members, for three -year terms. The City Attorney asked for a vote on nominations for the alternate position. Mr. Rynearson nominated Bill Robinson for the alternate position and the vote carried unanimously with Griggs, gossom, Mead, Holmes, Jamieson, Rigdon, and Rynearson in favor. Request for Code Enforcement Fine Waiver at 6 Bay Drive NE Tim Bolduc, Engineering/ Utilities Services Director, presented a background of the Code Enforcement case at 6 Bay Drive NE, dating back to 2009, and that Staff has spent a lot of time on this case. Mr. Bolduc informed the lien amount of $90,750. 00 has been reduced to $ 31, 762. 50 in accordance with the city's mitigation schedule, with $650. 00 in administrative fees, and this is what Staff is recommending. Council was advised the property was found in compliance in October of 2010 and remains in compliance today. Anna Nguyen, 6 Bay Drive, the property owner, stated she did not understand the processes that needed to be followed and did not realize that the fines had accrued. Ms. Nguyen reported she paid for the inspections and the Certificate of Occupancy and had been residing in the home for three years before she was made aware of the fines. The City Attorney advised that fines stop after the property comes into compliance but the fines that have accumulated remains, and that any reduction in fines is the purview of the Council. A friend of Ms. Nguyen's spoke on her behalf, noting the language barrier and that she is afraid she will lose her home and asked Council to support her request. Upon questioning, Council was advised that all of the notifications for code enforcement were properly posted and signed for, and that Staff met with Ms. Nguyen many times and did everything to help get her through the process. Dr. gossom moved that Council authorize the Mayor to execute a Release of Lien for the property located at 6 Bay Drive NE within three days of the property owner paying the recommended mitigated amount of $ 31, 762. 50 with the administrative fees of $ 650. 00 as outlined in the City' s Code of Ordinances. Mr. Rynearson seconded motion and it carried unanimously. City Council of Fort 6Nahon Beach Page 6 Printed 312612014 Regular Meeting Minutes March 25, 2014 RESULT: ADOPTED- [UNANIM_ OUS] MOVER: joyce gossom, Council Seat'2 SECONDER: Dick Rynearson; Council--Seat 7 ' AYES: Griggs, gossom, Mead, Holmes, Jamieson, Rigdon,.Rynearson CITY MANAGER REPORTS --Discussion to Schedule Strategic Planning Workshops The City Manager advised at the March 14, 2014 Strategic Workshop, he discussed the possibility of having additional workshops to discuss major goals and how to achieve them. After discussion, consensus of Council was to hold a workshop on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at 4 pm, before the regular meeting at 6 pm. The City Manager also discussed the need for a special meeting to review the Charter. Consensus of Council was to hold a special meeting on Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at 4 pm, before the regular meeting at 6 pm. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS None. MAYOR/ COUNCIL COMMENTS Dr. gossom questioned the release of liens process and what happens after Council approves the lien release. The City Manager advised that the release of lien is sent to be recorded three days after the City receives payment and if no payment is received the lien remains. The City Manager advised that a status of liens can be provided to Council via email. Mr. Mead thanked Staff for their efforts on preparing the ordinance for the downtown entertainment district. Mr. Rigdon addressed Dr. gossom regarding the veteran' s homeless program and reminded that there is a difference between the homeless and vagrants. Dr. gossom stated she doesn't know how Opportunity Inc differentiates for the program but individuals must present a VA Medical Card or a DD 214 card. Mr. Rigdon also congratulated Mr. Holmes on being appointed to Council, and to Dr. gossom for being appointed Mayor Pro Tern for the coming year. Mr. Rynearson advised that the TPO will be hosting a workshop on April 1 at the Chamber of Commerce at 5: 30 pm regarding information on the bridge issue and encouraged residents to attend. Committee Update - West Florida Regional Planning Council Mr. Griggs advised the WFRPC sent an application to extend the loan program for the brownfields, the annual conference of the WFRPC will be held in Pensacola on May 5 - 6, and they are requesting a representative from DOT to attend their next meeting. Mr. Griggs also advised he has spoken with the City Manager about the possibility of having an event on New Year's Eve similar to Pensacola' s pelican drop. The City Manager stated such an event would bolster the City and be an attraction to the area, and that Staff will begin gathering information for the next CRA meeting. City Council ofFort Walton Beach Page 7 Printed 312612014  124 Regular Meeting Minutes March 25, 2014 Committee Update - Opportunity, Inc. Dr. gossom reported that Opportunity Inc is holding open enrollment for their homeless veteran' s reintegration program on March 31, 2014 from 9 am to 3: 30 pm at 144 Mary Esther Blvd, # 16. The individual needs to bring their VA Medical Card or their DD 214 Card. Also, Opportunity Inc received a $ 5, 000 grant for elders in Okaloosa and Walton County for safety and medical devices. Dr. gossom advised she will present to Council next month the numbers on homeless or those in shelters in Okaloosa and Walton counties. Committee Update - Economic Development Council Dr. gossom reported the EDC held a strategic planning workshop recently and identified strategies as well as what has been done in the county. Committee Update - Okaloosa Housing Partners Ms. Jamieson advised that OHP is receiving additional grants for housing assistance and a lot of applications are being submitted for housing. Council Representative to Fresh Start Board of Directors Mr. Rynearson advised he received an invitation from the Fresh Start Organization to be on their Board of Directors as a representative of the City council. Mr. Rynearson stated he would like to accept but wanted the approval of Council. Ms. Jamieson moved that Mr. Rynearson be the City Council representative on the Board of Directors for the Fresh Start Organization. Dr. gossom seconded motion and it carried unanimousiv. RESULT: - NlMOUS] t MOVE DOPTED Bull C un at 6 SECONDER joyce.gossom, C'otincil' Seat, 2 AYES Griggs, gossom, Mead Holmes Jairi'i eson . Ri g don ,R Y ne ... arson ADJOURNMENT: 7: 36 pm Approved: a4lfd Mayor: 1( 64, 4, Atte t: City Clerk tl " i& - City Council of Fort Walton Beach Page 8 Printed 312612014