Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 03-23-2010 regular — reading text

for qualified persons. Mr. Patterson responded his intent was to provide a burial plot to Fort Walton Beach police officers and firefighters who die performing their jobs, and any member of the United States military killed in action who is a resident of Fort Walton Beach, including reserve or guard members. The City Manager informed it was his understanding the ordinance was to provide the interment services but that Council could amend the ordinance to exclude the interment services.  121 Regular Council 3/ 23/ 10 ORD. 1824 ( CONT) Mr. Reeves moved to amend Ord. 1824 to provide a cemetery plot or wall niche at no cost to Fort Walton Beach police officers and firefighters who die performing their jobs, and any member of the United States military killed in action who is a resident of Fort Walton Beach, but not to provide interment services. Mr. Nabors seconded motion. The Mayor Pro Tem opened the public hearing. Chris Gibson, 249 Brooks Street SE, questioned why the City is offering this for military when most military members are buried at the military facility in Pensacola. Ms. Gibson also discussed the cost for perpetual care and that by giving a plot for free takes away funding for maintenance and perpetual care for the cemetery. Mr. Nabors commented that the loss of military in the city is next to none, and that the City would not lose revenue for the very few times a burial plot would be provided. As there was no one else who wished to speak, the public hearing was closed. The Mayor Pro Tem called for the vote on the amendment and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor. Mr. Reeves moved to adopt Ord. 1824 on second reading, as amended. Mr. Nabors seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor (Seat 2 Vacant). HISTORIC SITES BOARD APPOINTMENT Mr. Reeves nominated Mark Franks, 1057 Emerald Lane, Fort Walton Beach, to serve on the Historic Sites and Structures Advisory Board for a four -year term beginning March 23, 2010 until March 23, 2014. The Mayor Pro Tem called for the vote on the nomination and it unanimously with Holmes, carried Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor (Seat 2 Vacant). CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD APPOINTMENT Mr. Reeves nominated Beth McHenry, 21A Wright Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, to serve on the Code Enforcement Board for a three -year term beginning March 23, 2010 until March 23, 2013. The Mayor Pro Tem called for the vote on the nomination and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor Seat 2 Vacant). COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS The City Manager recommended the Council appointments be tabled until the May 25, 2010 Council meeting when the two new members of Council have been appointed. The City Manager noted that until that time, Staff will attend any meeting that is not currently represented by Council. Mr. Nabors moved to table the following Council appointments until the Council meeting of May 25, 2010. Mr. Reeves seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor (Seat 2 Vacant). MAYOR PRO TEM Bill Garvie is the current Mayor Pro Tem. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL The late Virgil Miller was primary; Bill Patterson is alternate. 122 Regular Council 3/ 23/ 10 COUNCIL APPOINTSMENTS ( CONT) OKALOOSA COUNTY LIBRARY COOPERATIVE Bill Garvie is primary; Dennis Reeves is alternate. OKALOOSA HOUSING PARTNERS, INC. Bill Garvie is primary; Mike Anderson is alternate. OKALOOSA COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES BOARD Mike Anderson is primary; Dick Rynearson is alternate. OKALOOSA -WALTON TRANSPORATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION Mike Holmes, Bill Garvie, and Bill Patterson are primaries; Dick Rynearson, Dennis Reeves, and Bobby Nabors are alternates. REGIONAL UTILITY AUTHORITY Bill Garvie is primary; Dennis Reeves is alternate. TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL Bobby Nabors is primary; Mike Holmes is alternate. WEST FLORIDA REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL The late Virgil Miller was primary; Bill Garvie is alternate. RECESS The meeting recessed at 7: 33 Om. RECONVENE The meeting reconvened at 7:40 pm. NOMINATIONS FOR COUNCIL SEAT 2 The Mayor Pro Tern advised that nominations for appointment to fill vacant City Council Seat 2 will be made this evening, with the appointment being made at the April 13, 2010 Council meeting. Mr. Rynearson nominated Dean Covey, 270 Brooks Street SE. Mr. Patterson noted he nominated Glenda Glover, 115 Waynel Circle SE and Janet Wilson, 368 Gardner Drive SE, at the previous meeting. Mr. Nabors nominated Bob Hudgens, 256 Ventura Circle, and joyce gillie gossom, 25 Bay Drive SE. Mr. Garvie nominated joyce gillie gossom, 25 Bay Drive SE. The Mayor Pro Tern announced the nominations were closed. He advised the following citizens have been nominated by City Council to fill the vacancy on City Council Seat 2: 1) Dean Covey, 270 Brooks Street SE; 2) Glenda Glover, 115 Waynell Circle SE; 3) joyce gillie gossom, 25 Bay Drive SE: 4) Bob Hudgens, 256 Ventura Circle; and 5) Janet Wilson, 368 Gardner Drive SE. The City Attorney informed that a seat is not open to nominations until a vacancy is declared. She explained the current vacancy for Seat 2 was declared vacant upon the death of Mr. Miller, and that is the only vacancy that nominations are being taken for.  123 Regular Council 3/ 23/ 10 NOMINATIONS FOR SEAT 2 ( CONT) The City Attorney advised a second vacancy will be declared upon the resignation of Mr. Garvie on April 13, and nominations for that seat will begin at that time, and that a third vacancy will be declared in November. The City Attorney discussed several voting options Council can take, and clarified that those appointed will serve until the particular seat comes up for reappointment. RES. 2010 -9. AMENDMENT TO COMPREHENSIVE FEE SCHEDULE A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE CITY' S COMPREHENSIVE FEE SCHEDULE FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER CHARGES BY ADJUSTING CERTAIN FEES; AND SETTING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Brandy Wunker, Finance Director, advised the current rate structure for utilities does not provide sufficient revenues for debt service coverage as required by the 2005 bond ordinance, revenue sufficiency to eliminate on -going losses, or capital improvements that have been delayed in prior years. Ms. Wunker continued that a Utility Rate Study findings recommended a series of multi -year rate adjustments to provide sufficient revenues for current and projected fiscal requirements through FY 2013 -14. Ms. Wunker discussed the proposed rate changes in detail. Michael Beedie, City Engineer, discussed the City's existing waste water treatment facility, informing it is 30 years old and in order to meet upcoming regulatory requirement and to keep the system functioning, costly repairs would be required in the coming year, and a new lease for the existing sprayfields would be required. Mr. Beedie advised that the City chose to enter into an Interlocal Agreement with the County for wastewater treatment because the impact to the rate payers was less substantial. Mr. Beedie advised that Mike Rocca from the firm of Brown & Caldwell, who conducted the rate study, was available to answer any questions. Discussion included the capital improvement projects that will occur and that the increase is sufficient to cover the City's debt service. The Mayor Pro Tern asked for public input. There was none. Mr. Rynearson moved to adopt Res. 2010 -9. Mr. Patterson seconded motion. Mr. Rynearson commented that while no one likes rate increases, he appreciates that the increases will be done gradually, and that the increases may cause less water usage which will help conserve water. Mr. Reeves expressed his concern over the implementation and the percentage of the rate increase, especially among small business owners. Mr. Reeves also discussed that money has been taken from the enterprise fund for years, and that he will not support this resolution on principle. Mr. Reeves stated he appreciated the work that Staff has done and the study that was conducted. Mr. Nabors stated he wants to make sure the rates being voted on justify the product being received and the cost of the product received, and after reading the study that is exactly what the rate increase does. Mr. Holmes stated that this is something that has to be done and he hopes it is monitored closely. 124 Regular Council 3/ 23/ 10 RES. 2010 -9 ( CONT) Mr. Patterson stated the infrastructure is aging and it needs to be corrected now, and not passed on to future generations. The Mayor Pro Tern called for the vote on the motion and it carried by a vote of 5 to 1 with Holmes, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor and Reeves opposed Seat 2 Vacant). CONSIDERATION OF A GRANT OF EASEMENT TO GULF POWER Mr. Beedie advised that Gulf Power is requesting an easement for the installation of guy wire(s) and anchors on Golf Club property to provide electrical services across Lewis Turner to the new courthouse annex located at the fairgrounds. The granting of the easement for the guy wire(s) and anchors has no financial impact on the City. The Mayor Pro Tern asked for public input. There was none. Mr. Reeves moved to authorize the Mayor to execute an easement with Gulf Power for the installation of guy wire(s) and anchors on Golf Club property to provide electrical service across Lewis Turner Boulevard to the new Okaloosa County Courthouse Annex located at the fairgrounds. Mr. Rynearson seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, Patterson, and Rynearson in favor (Seat 2 Vacant). CITY MANAGER REPORTS Mr. Beedie updated Council on the progress of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, advising that the City and County got together and that as of March 12 the flow is being sent to the county plant. Mr. Beedie continued that the county made some modifications to the potable water system to allow reuse water to be sent to the golf course and it is now a working system. He advised the decommissioning process will begin the City plant and once totally at decommissioned a determination will be made whether to demolish the structures. Mr. Beedie advised that Human Resources will be meeting with the two remaining employees at the plant to discuss employment options. MAYOR/COUNCIL COMMENTS Mr. Rynearson discussed his concern that the Historic Sites and Structures Board did not have a quorum at its March 16, 2010 meeting, and that the lack of quorum is holding up a builder from moving forward with his project. He stated he is looking for a solution. The City