Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 10-14-03 regular Council agenda — reading text

it evaluation and recommendations for future operations of the Pullen, Kelley, and Anderson in favor. carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, ten members and that Council not Mr. Kelley moved to maintain the Ad- hoc committee with the existing motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, appoint replacements. . Mr. Anderson seconded Tucker, Pullen, Kelley, and Anderson in favor. Campbell, Temple that the Indian Mound is an asset to the city and asked Phillip Turner, 327 Brooks Street, voiced the feeling that Council consider its decisions carefully regarding the museums. Coast Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police Robert ( Steve) Hull, 345 Shannon Court and President of the Emerald and wanted to make it clear to FOP), addressed the issues regarding the consolidation of the police department, Council that the FOP will stand for the police department and will do everything it can to protect it because the of the police department. of the citizens is of the utmost importance to all members safety would allow the citizens of the city the opportunity to Discussion ensued regarding the proposed referendum which decide the issue; the poor express how they feel about consolidation and that it will be up to Council to ultimately voter turnout in the city; the reasoning behind the proposed consolidation; that a referendum would be non-binding; never been complaints about the service to the citizens and that the police department is exemplarary and there has of the city. referendum would make no sense and that eliminating the police Phyllis Watson, 219 Watson Drive, feels a for the city. department would not be a wise way to save money service of the police force. Robert Becker, 205 Third Street, stated he is pleased with the in he had a personal emergency and the police responded Paul Broshear, formerly of 402 Marshall Court, stated that less than three minutes and saved the life of a relative. be unfair to the employees of the police force. Anita Kroha, 109 Brooks Street, feels a referendum would President of MADD, commended the police force for the reduction in Amy Jameson 213 Costaki Court and accidents involving drunk drivers. not just an issue of the personal impact on the officers or an Officer John Dumas asked Council to keep in mind it is that is at the city would receive issue of but rather, the money; quantity, and type of service the citizens of quality, stake. the the Patrol Division, which included drug busts and Patrol Officer Eric Boyd discussed the 543 arrests made by murder suspect. capture of a serial burglar and attempted time when they Fort Walton Beach, stated the police responds in record Doug Reed, owner of Merlin' s in downtown are called by businesses in the downtown area. 59 out Shawn Hogan, 55 Martisa Drive, employee of the Police Department, stated that at the last Vision meeting, force. of 60 said they were not in favor of consolidation of the police people of their the police force and feels the city should take care Curtis Newhouse, Bay Drive, stated he is impressed with own.  7 9/ 23/ 03 Millie Thrush, 316 Sudduth, disagrees strongly with a referendum and feels it is a quality of life issue. Brian Shula, 194 Baggett and police chaplain, rides with the officers and sees first- hand how they respond to the public, and that the only people that would benefit from consolidation would be the criminals. Michael Hogan questioned what the motivation was for this issue being brought forward at the expense of the quality of life for the citizens of the city. Discussion included the fact that the police budget takes up 1/5 to 1/6 of the total budget of the city and whether the citizens of the city afford it; and that citizens would likely be willing to pay tax dollars for their safety rather than eliminate the police force and their quality of life. Mr. Kelley moved that the City Council vote to support and retain the City of Fort Walton Beach Police Department, and that the idea of consolidation not be explored any further. Mr. Campbell seconded motion. Council comments included citizens praises of the police department; that a referendum is unnecessary and would be a waste of time; and that Council has never had a citizen come before them to complain about the police department or services. Other comments by Council included the morale problem that a referendum could cause, and that the City has more important issues to discuss rather than the status of the police department. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it carried by a vote of 6 to 1 with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Pullen, Kelley, and Anderson in favor and Tucker opposed. The Mayor expressed her support and appreciation to the Police Department and voiced her appreciation to Council of their action. 7;! -~ 1.- r0~ ,;::(t''j') 11~~ ~~,"~\"~ r! !~-:\ :;:(~~ ;- f\ 1f:"t' f) I."r',__ I \ ,} I~ I "[. I'; t . ~)_:-~!/:- ~' _ t. ~\, Mr. Tucker introduced Thoya Bozeman to Council and stated that as Council' s representative to the Head Start Board, he has seen the improvements that have, been made at Head Start by Ms. Bozeman and her staff. He requested Council consider her request for in-kind services. Thoya Bozeman, Executive Director of Okaloosa County Comprehensive Head Start Child Development, Inc., explained that Head Start was having problems but has made tremendous progress in establishing effective management systems. She requested the City provide Head Start with $ 10, 000 in-kind services. Mr. Tucker moved that the City provide $ 10, 000 in-kind services to support the Head Start program. Mr. Patterson seconded motion. Council received clarification that in- kind services could be used to correct a problem of water running into the McGriff Center, which the City owns and Head Start occupies. The Interim City Manager advised Okaloosa County is part of the lease holder with Head Start at the McGriff Center, and they did some parking lot improvements. However, the parking lot is 6" lower then it should be and that water drains into Head Start. She has asked staff to look into the cost of improvements, but is not sure what it would entail to correct the problem. Discussion included the fact that the county, as the leaseholder, should be responsible for correcting the drainage problem, not the City, and that the City is already providing $235, 000 in-kind contributions including the space cost at McGriff and the Chester Pruitt Center. Further discussion included that if Council contributes money or services to one organization, then others will follow with requests for contributions and the City' s policy is not to give to one if it cannot give to all worthy organizations. The Interim City Manager clarified that Ms. Bozeman is requesting only a commitment for in-kind services, and not necessarily how the $ 10, 000 will be used. 18 9/ 23/ 03 0. j:~" ev, ~-!~((;:- f'~'':;:;: 1';';';:-\ ,' i:,:--' I'~ 1 _' ,,-~':."::. .-: L:)~ _ ~ ~.. 1~'\.. _ since they are the ones that Council discussed at length the fact that the county should fix the drainage problem, Ms. Bozeman advised she has gone to the County but caused it, and that it should not be the City' s responsibility. they have not voted on it at this time.