Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 07-10-1973 Regular — reading text

FROM FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REQUEST FROM ST. MARY'S WARD PROPERTY PRUITT APPOINTMENT TO HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD to. have the Council and the people of the community aware of the procedure. City Manager presented an invoice from the Florida League of Cities for payment of yearly dues in the amount of $1500. He explained that this figure was due to the League going to a 15-month bud- get. Mr. Van Buskirk moved to authorize; payment of the City's dues. Motion was | duly seconded and carried unanimously. City Manager presented a letter from the Chamber of Commerce requesting that a member of Council serve as director. City Manager explained that Mr. Schwei- zer has been serving in this capacity; however, his appointment expires this month. Mr. Baughman moved that Mr. Schweizer be reappointed. Motion was seconded by Mr. Palmer and carried unanimously. City Manager presented a request from St. Mary's to have the $25.00 application fee waived for their hearing with the Board of Adjustment relative to erecting a parsonage on the St. Mary's Church and School property behind City Hall. Mr. Rigdon so moved. Motion was seconded by Mr. Baughman and carried unanimously. City Manager presented a copy of a certified letter sent to Mrs. J. R. Ward: relative to the substandard condi- tion of her property. He stated that this was part of the regular procedure in having a substandard house removed. The building inspectors have made the necessary inspections, given notice to the property owners, and still nothing was done. Now, it would be Council's responsibility to have City Attorney draw a resolution that the structure be removed by the City. Mayor stated that this was for Council's information and City Manager stated that a resolu- tion to that effect would be ready for the next meeting. Mr. Hill moved that Mrs. Lulw Pruitt be appointed to replace him on the Housing Authority Board. Motion was seconded by Mr. Palmer and carried unanimously. THANK YOU NOTE FROM MISS FWB JENKINS REQUEST FOR VARIANCE FISCHER REQUEST MOBILE HOME SALES CLARK REQUEST City Manager presented for Council's information a thank you note from Miss Fort Walton Beach. City Manager stated that building inspec- tor was making an electrical inspection atdthe Luther Jenkins property on Buck Drive and saw that he was pouring a slab for his utility shed within 4 feet of his fence. The ordinance requirement is that the structure be 7% feet from the rear fence. Mr. Jenkins has gone to his neighbors on either side (Hollings- worth, Hunt, and Henderson) and they were in agreement with this variance and have signed a letter stating that they have no objections to the location of the shed. Mr. Jenkins is requesting a variance for this shed of 3% feet. Mr. Rigdon moved that this variance be granted. Motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Relative to Mr. Charles Fischer, City Manager stated that Council had approved his request with the stipulation that he gets with the building inspector and meets -all requirements. City Manager stated that he did so and meets all requirements except that the rear setback will be only about 20' rather than the 50' required. The building inspector recommends that the 1 foot additional setback above 35' not apply to the Sound side, but only on the sides and front. Mr. Rigdon moved that the building inspector's recommenda- tion be accepted by Council. Motion was seconded by Mr. Palmer and carried unani- mously. Relative to Mobile Homes Sales in Brooks Plaza, City Manager stated that Mr. Floyd has the lease for Mobile Home Sales and that Mr. George Boles does not have the lease. Therefore, the man who has been granted the variance will not have the lease. Mr. Van Buskirk pointed out that this was discussed yesterday and that the variance was given to Mr. Boles and would not apply to anyone else. City Manager stated that Mr. Clark, who was requesting to operateca souvenir shop on main street, was expected at tonight's meeting to discuss his plans. He was not present so no action was taken. RENAMING OF FERRY PARK RECREATION CENTER HUGH HANDLEY COURTHOUSE ANNEX SITE Mayor stated that the new recreation center to be built would be designated as the Fred B. Hedrick Recreation Center. He stated that he would like to recommend to Council that the Ferry Park Recreation ‘Center be renamed the "Theo 'Docie" Bass Recreation Building." Mayor continued that Mr. Bass has served as a former Councilman and done a great deal for this town and he felt this action was appropriate. He also expressed his feeling that you should honor a man while he is alive, if you intend to honor him. Mr. Rigdon pointed out that he had dis- cussed this very matter with the late Mr. Hedrick and moved that the building be named the "Docie Bass Building". Motion was seconded by Mr. Baughman, and carried unanimously. Mayor recognized Mr. Handley. He stated that, "I would like to go on record stating that I did not get to complete my argument: nor my presentation because I was asked to leave under police author- ity." Mayor stated that he was not going to sit and argue with him, but that he had asked him to sit down. He also stated that he was welcome to come before this meeting at any time, but order would be maintained and that is the way it has to be. Mr. Handley stated that he wanted it on record that "I was threatened by police authority if I did not sit down." Mayor: stated that that was exactly right. Mr. Rigdon stated that he would like to see Council make another effort to meet with the County Commissioners relative to the Courthouse Annex, since they have not begun construction or taken any other initiative steps yet. Mr. Rigdon moved that the Courthouse Annex Site Committee be reactivated so that they could meet with the County Commissioners and dis- cuss the location of the annex again. Motion was seconded by Mr. Baughman and carried unanimously. Mr. Rigdon stated that the Mayor would need to appoint another member to replace Mr. Hedrick and Mayor stated he would do so in the morning. REQUEST FOR LAND IN INDUSTRIAL PARK BY _OKALOOSA COUNTY WORKSHOP 20? MONAPRlmer stated that earlier Mr. Sibert had been down to ask Council to donate an acre in Industrial Park to the Okaloosa County Workshop. Mr. Palmer stated that he had talked to several of the Council- men and several of the citizens and he felt that it would be proper for the City to donate on a lease basis an acre in the Industrial Park to this workshop and. it be selected at Council's discre- tion at any place in the park. Mr. Sibert has said that any place would suit him fine. Mr. Palmer so moved and motion was duly seconded. Mr. Handley was recognized by the Mayor. He asked "Was this done in open Council meeting?" Mayoraaskeg, "Was what done in open Council meeting?" Mr. Handley replied, "the discussion about the...... " Mayor asked, "Do you want to discuss the donation?" Mr. Handley replied, "Yes, was it done in open Council?" Mayor stated that the request was made in open Council. Mr. Handley asked if the discussions took place in open Council meeting. Mayor asked, "Do you want to discuss it now?" Mr. Handley replied, 'No, sir, I just want to know if the discussions...'"' The Mayor replied that the discussions were right here in the Council Chamber and that was the only time he had ever heard anything about it..."Colonel Sibert made a request that the City donate one acre to the retarded children." Mr. Handley again asked, "Was this done before the Council meeting, or after?" Mayor stated that it was done before open Council. Mayor recognized Mr. Van Buskirk and he stated, "T believe that this man is charging it to the Council and, in fact, he questioned my integrity in talking with the man, and I believe it was done right here in this Council Chamber, and I believe the man is implying..." Mayor stated the point was well taken. Mayor again asked if Mr. Handley wanted to discuss it and Mr. Hand- ley replied he did not. Question was called and motion carried unanimously. 908 ADJOURNMENT Mayor thanked each of the audience for coming and stated that they were always wé@come and he would always recognize them, but he would have order. There being no further business, meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. APPROVED: BaF 1773 BY: (GHMRLES H. EVANS City Dlerk-Finance Director