Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 03-25-08 regular agenda — reading text

levels, and can affect any child and any family, and WHEREAS, Autism affects an estimated 1 in every 150 children born today, and based on statistics from the US Department of Education and other governmental agencies, Autism is growing at a startling rate of 10 to 17 percent per year; and WHEREAS, this disability affects each individual differently and at varying a child can degrees —that is why early diagnosis is so crucial. By learning the signs, begin benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention programs; and WHEREAS, it is known that with proper education, training, and community living options, individuals with Autism can lead distinguished and productive lives in their communities, and strive to reach their full potential, and WHEREAS, families and dedicated support groups are committed to the cause of educating other families, professionals, and the general public so that they may be aware of and better understand the nature of this disability. NOW, THEREFORE, 1, Mike Anderson, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Fort Walton Beach, do hereby proclaim the month of April, 2008, as AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH* in the of Fort Walton Beach, and encourage citizens to develop a greater City understanding of Autism that affects children, adults, and their families. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, 1 have set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of 25th Fort Walton Beach to be axed this day of March 2008. Aie 4aA'--' - - MAYOR MIKE ANDERSON  sm [ 110 r I ( 2I Presented to Sally Ashwood In Graff tude for Loyal and Dedi cated Service tv  City of Fort Walton Beach Y RIF CLA A710`1V WHEREAS, Sally Ashwood has honorably served the City of Fort Walton Beach since May 21 1979, serving as Secretary in the Finance Department and beginning in 1991, " Data Processing Coordinator" in the Information Technology Department; and WHEREAS, Sally's 28 plus years of service and her outstanding performance are characterized by descriptions such as dedicated, tireless, determined, well competent, reliable, organized, meticulous, caring, and devoted; and WHEREAS, she has made many contributions to the City and its various departments by helping the City transition from all paper to Data General and now SunGard HTE computer systems; and WHEREAS, Sally has been a linchpin of both the Department and the entire City organization, providing cohesive support and stability through her service; and WHEREAS, her friendly style and helpfulness permeate all she does, information, and especially for the employees that need her assistance, training, guidance, for which she is fondly known as the " IT Grandma "; and WHEREAS, Sally will retire from the City effective March 28, 2008, and it has been said that she will enjoy her retirement by spending time with her grandchildren, traveling, and sitting out by the pool. NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Anderson, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Fort Walton Beach, do wish to state publicly that Sally will be missed both professionally and as a fellow employee, and I hereby extend our best wishes to Sally Ashwood* and her entire family for much success and happiness in the future. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Fort Walton Beach to be affixed this 25th day of March, 2008. MIKE ANDERSON, MAYOR  n r C C A 04 4; O= rt H rag 0_ m' 3 - e m 3 _. w A CD o r ue o= g m rt ao IA = N H 0 s mr A r1 oc e C O O CL Q. _ rto3 a a o CL O o 3 w eo Q A S 3 0 w or wo N Co 0 0o  rn n e% CL now n 3 O on& 1' 17 moo on 3 -• 0 CD CD moo UN& sub 04P U* O O A 0 S A O O• 0 p C moo r Uv H A A 3 a 0 Q A y p p y O CL CL 0 C r 0 CD CL CL CL 0 O O 3 3 a o CL o o 0 A D w S 3 0 S N N 0 0 00  CITY COUNCIL MEETING March 25, 2008 Approval of Agenda No Backup) Council Action 1st 2nd Vote: Agenda Item Number: 1  CITY COUNCIL MEETING March 25, 2008 Consent Agenda Approval of Minutes: Special Council, March 11, 2008 Regular Council, March 11, 2008 City Clerk) Council Action 1 St 2nd Vote: Agenda Item Number: 2  31 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 11, 2008 INTRODUCTION A special meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was held on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 4:00 p. m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, with the following members present: Mayor Mike Anderson Councilmen: Mike Holmes, Virgil Miller, Dennis Reeves, Bill Garvie, Dr. Wayne Pullen, Jim Hartwell, and Mike Minich. Also Present: Joyce Shanahan, City Manager; Lisa Absher, Finance Director; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Toni Craig, City Attorney; Department Directors; Mike Mattimore, Labor Attorney; and Media CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. He requested anyone who wished to address Council to approach the podium after being recognized, and then state his or her name and address for the record. PLEDGE The Mayor led in the Pledge of Allegiance. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS Consideration of receiving the Summary of Findings from the labor attorney on the Mayor's investigations into the working relationships and workplace interaction among the Charter Officers and among the Charter Officers and the Officials and employees of the City. The Mayor introduced Mike Mattimore with Allen, Norton and Blue. He requested Council hold questions until Mr. Mattimore is done with his presentation, then after Council has asked their questions he will open it to the general public. Mike Mattimore went over his background and credentials as a labor attorney. He described the process used to interview employees, Charter Officers and people who had an interest in speaking to him. He said as a result of the interviews he brought to Council what was told him; he did not draw conclusions and did not make recommendations. He stated he spoke to everyone who wanted to be heard and gave his contact information out to everyone who wanted it. He said the investigation was delayed by a number of days because the Finance Director asked for additional time allotted to the other Charter Officers and he complied with her request. He mentioned one initial observation he had is that Council has City employees they should be very proud of, who love their city and love the people they work with and they showed courage and candor in coming to him and speaking honestly. He said no one was compelled to speak with him and no one had to, everyone knew they were being taped and knew some day their words would be public, but.they still spoke openly and candidly and they really felt a need to do so.He pointed out that Carole Jones was left off the witness list because she contacted them at the last minute and said she wanted to be interviewed, so they did interview her by telephone as they were bringing a close to the report. He said they had met with her during the process and understood she did not want to speak to-them but she did after all. Mr. Mattimore relayed of primary concern as a labor and employment attorney is that five key employees of the Finance Department who are subordinate to the Finance Director described in very emotional terms a hostile work environment. He went over what was relayed to him, said he thought they are good employees, they are loyal employees and they are in a dysfunctional situation. He said what is disturbing to him is .that those employees were told they could not go to the Human Resource Department to complain about the conditions. He said it is essential to have the ability to the employees to go complain when they feel there is a problem in their work place, that is what policies are for, and that is one of the essential functions for Human Resource and for a manager to say they have to first go to her, and first tell her they are going to Human Resources and why they are going to Human Resources and they cannot