Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 09-12-2001 Special — reading text

272 9-12-01 I_(~ IORD..< Mrs. Baggett suggested Council split the $ 30,000. 00 for MainStreet with $ 15, 000.00 placed in the General Fund under CRA and $ 15, 000. 00 placed in Non- Departmental 001- 1500- 519- 8200 Non- Operating Expenditures, Grants & Aids. Mrs. Baggett explained that if MainStreet fails to perform, then the moneys could be spent on other projects. The City Manager explained if MainStreet fails to perform, the money has to be spent on CRA. The Finance Director explained the revenue source for the MainStreet expenditures is CRA funds and offered that during the year Council can put stipulations on the money in the CRA funds and ifMainStreet does not meet performance measures then the money falls back to the CRA fund balance and can be appropriated for another CRA expense. Discussion was held with an exchange of views on the suggestion that Council place a stipulation on MainStreet to create a Downtown Merchants Association. One point of view agreed with the suggestion while another point of view disagreed with the suggestion. Mr. Kelley called for the question. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion to adopt Ord. 1453 on first reading and it carried unanimously with Carnathan, Baggett, Tucker, Pullen, Kelley, and Anderson in favor (Dowling absent). The Mayor stated the budget is adopted on first reading with the proposed millage rate of 4. 9700 mills, which is 5. 63% above the rollback rate of 4. 7050 mills. The Mayor announced the proposed budget for the City of Fort Walton Beach is subject to a second and final public hearing that will be held at City Hall on Wednesday, September 26, 2001 at 5: 30 p.m. Mrs. Baggett brought up for discussion the suggestion that the $ 30, 000.00 for MainStreet be split with $ 15, 000. 00 set aside for their main operation for this coming fiscal year and $ 15, 000.00 be placed under CRA. She further expressed if MainStreet were to miss a meeting and not report their expenditures for a quarter, then the money be placed back in the budget. The Finance Director noted Council only needs to direct staff how to disburse the funds to MainStreet. The City Attorney noted the appropriation in the budget is not a contract for distribution. The City Manager noted MainStreet will report monthly and during that time if Council feels MainStreet is not doing what they should be doing, then at any meeting Council can make a motion to cut their fimding or to withhold it. Further, MainStreet should be put on notice that Council is serious about MainStreet making progress and their performance. Charlene Greenwald, 206 Jet Drive, suggested the letter received & om MainStreet on what MainStreet is committed to do could be used as the standards to measure their performance. She added that MainStreet heard COlU1cil's concerns about MainStreet' s performance. Discussion continued on the funds appropriated for MainStreet with the explanation that MainStreet must spend the funds first then request reimbursement on their expenditures, for anything except staffing. It was mentioned Council would have the responsibility to monitor their performance when MainStreet comes before Council every month. Discussion included the amount paid out of CRA for street lighting based on the number of streetlights in the CRA area, and the amount budgeted out of CRA for a Police Officer with the comment that CRA does not pay their fair share for police and fire. Chris Gibson, 249 Brooks Street, requested Council to encourage MainStreet to develop a Downtown Merchants Association. MEMOBUL_ V1C~ Mayor Glover invited Council to a memorial service at Etheridge Stadium on Sunday, September 16th at 5: 00 p. m. for the victims of Tuesday's terrorist attack. jAoJoVRNMEN11 Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6: 25 p.m. A I. ,~ t/