Okaloosa County BOCC — October 21, 2014 — August 19, 2014 Regular Meeting — reading text

August 19, 2014 Tuesday Meeting The regular Tuesday meeting of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners was called to order at 6:00 p.m. at the Water & Sewer Administration Building in Fort Walton Beach. Members present were Charles K. Windes, Jr., Chairman; Nathan Boyles, Vice Chairman; Wayne Harris; Dave Parisot; and Don Amunds. Also present were Gary J. Stanford, Finance Director, Clerk's Office; Ernie Padgett, County Administrator; Greg Stewart, County Attorney; and representatives of the media. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S UPDATE Mr. Padgett stated he has nothing at this time. COMMISSIONER’S MINUTE Mr. Parisot reported an update on the Treasury rules for the RESTORE Act were provided last Friday. He added that he believes the Treasury Department was responsive to the comments from the Florida Counties on Pots #1 and #2. Mr. Parisot stated he participated in a webinar this morning on how to apply for funds. He stated we may see some movement going forward with the Okaloosa RESTORE Advisory Committee, saying $6.4 Million has been allocated to Okaloosa County in the Transocean settlement. Mr. Boyles and Mr. Amunds stated they have nothing at this time. Mr. Harris pointed out the Primary Election will be August 26 and early voter turnout is only at 5%. He encouraged voters to do their homework when choosing a candidate and to get out and vote. Mr. Windes said he also attended the meeting on Friday and recognized Mr. Parisot for pushing for Treasury rules and thanked him for his efforts. He said he came away from the meeting with an important fact to. share. The scientific assessment of the Gulf is that 51% of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill has been accounted for, leaving 49% still out there. PUBLIC COMMENT RELATING TO CURRENT AGENDA No one came forward to speak. August 19, 2014 -1- Minute Book 71, Page 219 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULE Mr, Windes noted ore of the public hearings was placed under a department item on the agenda and the hearing schedule will be amended. The fourth public hearing will be consideration of a request from Steven Rose to vacate a portion of the Bullock Boulevard spur. This hearing was originally before the Board on “uly 15 and tabled to today. VESITTOR - SHERRY HARLOW, EFCU, TEACH CHILDREN TO SAVE AWARD PRESENTATION Mrs. Sherry Harlow, Marketing Director for Eglin Federal Credit Union (EFCU), stated the Teach Children To Save Program was initiated in 2004, She said 2,494 youth have participated and saved $247,978 during the last ten years. Mrs. Harlow reported LL& children participated this year and saved $13,222. A drawing wag held to award six of the participants with $50. The winners were Corine Broxson, Daythn Hicks, Vivian Contant, Gabriel Davis, Alden Heym, and Allyssa Matthews. The winners were called forward and pictures taken, VISTTOR ~ TAX COLLECTOR BEN ANDERSON, PY 2014 BUDGET My. Ben Andergon, Tax Collector, came forward to provide details of his Fiscal Year 2014 budget request because he was unable to attend the budget workshop. Mr. Anderson provided an extended description of the proposed budget by identifying increases in various aspects of hig department budgets, services provided, selection for a pliet program for administration/testing for Concealed Carry Permits, Niceville Office costs, ete. VISITOR ~- NATHAN SPARKS, EDC, REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING POR CONTRACT RENEWAL Mr. Nathan Sparks, President of the Economic Development Counc (EDC), provided an update of HC acbhivities since his last appearance in March. He noted he has heen servin in his capacity at the EDC for mere than one year. Mr. Sparks stated the Marketing Services Agreement with the EDC was established in O11 and is vrenewed annually. He gave the totais of Board contributions to the EDC dating From 26009 through 613. Mr. Sparks said the contribution has been $120,933 for the last twe Years. He thanked the Board for the allocation but said he believes the EDC could do a better job of promoting the cSOMMUMnity. Mr. Sparks reported two of the Eive staff members August 29, 2014 ~2Z- Minute Book 71, Page 226 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners were laid off. He requested an additional $12,000 be allocated to the EDC when the contract is renewed. Mr. Sparks stated that amount could provide production of new marketing collateral, saying they could improve their trade show presence and the website. Mr. Harris commented that he led the charge in depleting the monies contributed to the EDC because it was not doing its job. However, he said he has noticed a change since Mr. Sparks has been on board. Mr. Harris stated he will be an advocate to increase the contribution. Mr. Amunds stated he has sat on the EDC Policy Council and it is about more than just bringing in new businesses. He felt the EDC has provided an excellent return on investment. Upon inquiry by Mr. Parisot, Mr. Sparks stated Okaloosa County contributes 29% of the EDC’s funding. He added that other partners have been asked for additional contributions as well. Upon inquiry by Mr. Parisot, Mr. Padgett stated if approved, the additional $12,000 would have to be taken from General Fund Reserves. Mr. Harris made motion, seconded by Mr. Parisot, to approve the 10% increase of $12,000 to EDC. 5 yeas. PUBLIC HEARING - DETERMINATION OF USE IN B-2 ZONE ON OKALOOSA ISLAND Mr. Stanford read the advertised legal notice for public hearing to determine if a proposed mini golf course will be allowed ina B-2 Zone on Okaloosa Island. B-2 Zones are for apartments, hotel courts, and hotel areas. The subject property is located on the north side of Santa Rosa Boulevard in Fort Walton Beach and contains 0.65 acre. Mr. Stewart advised this is a quasi-judicial proceeding and anyone desiring to speak should now stand and be sworn in. He then asked the commissioners if they have any disclosures on this issue. Mr. Parisot replied that he spoke with Vince Bruner by telephone and there have been email contacts. Mr. Harris reported limited communication with Mr. Bruner. Mr. Amunds said he had contact with citizens in the Okaloosa Island Leaseholders Association. Mr. Boyles reported having emails on this issue. Mr. Windes stated he had email communication with Mr. Bruner. Mr. Stewart directed staff to collect the emails to be made part of the record. He also stated the legal analysis will be made part of the record. August 19, 2014 -3- Minute Book 71, Page 221 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners (NOTE: As of date of submission of minutes for approval, copies of the emails have not been provided to the Clerk’s Office for the record. ) Mr. Elliot Kampert, Growth Management Director, stated staff received inquiry from a prospective buyer of Lots 17, 18 and 19 of Block 2 in Okaloosa Island Subdivision, zoned B-2, who desires to develop a putt-putt style mini golf course and associated concession area. The Okaloosa Island Covenants provide for (1) duplex residences - apartments, (2) hotels, (3) tourists or hotel courts, and (4) apartment housing in B-2 Zones. The following text was provided: Affiliated services built in conjunction with, and within the same plan as (2, (3), and (4) above, such services being as newsstands, barber shops, beauty shops, dining rooms, drug shop, rental boat basin, delicatessens, fill- ing stations, variety shops, clothing shops, flower shops and other shops as may be deemed necessary and proper by Okaloosa County from time to time, to serve the needs of tourists and vacationists. Mr. Kampert pointed out putt-putt golf is not among the enumerated uses and affiliated services. The Okaloosa Island Leaseholders Association Architectural Review Committee met on June 26, 2014 and found the use inconsistent with the Covenants. However, the group endorsed the proposed use as “a good land use and advantageous to island tourism” and recommended’ the applicant seek a “variance” to the Covenants from the Board of County Commissioners. Mr. Kampert advised the presentation to the OILA did not include a concession area. He added a previously discussed game arcade has been withdrawn from the proposal by the applicant. Mr. Kampert advised the Covenants do provide the Board with some flexibility in interpreting and enforcing the covenants and referred to Part G.8 of the document. He also detailed previous Board action in 1992 allowing leaseholders to convert their interest to fee simple titles. Mr. Kampert noted the property owner has joined the perspective buyer in this request. The potential buyer is petitioning the Board to allow the development as a stand-alone putt-putt golf course. He stated this is not a variance, explaining that term applies to the county’s Land Development Code. A variance is a hardship, typically whereby an owner is being denied a use to August 19, 2014 -4- Minute Book 71, Page 222 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners which he/she would otherwise be entitled and which is enjoyed by other owners of property in the same zone. Mr. Kampert stated staff has no objection to the request. However, staff does recommend the following considerations for approval: (1) any lighting used for the golf course, concession area, and any associated on-site parking, pedestrian, landscaping or vehicular circulation areas be Dark Sky certified and (2) there be no sale of alcoholic beverages. Mr. Windes asked citizens who desire to speak to limit their comments to two or three minutes and try not to be repetitive of comments already voiced. Mr. Vince Bruner, Yacht Club Drive in Fort Walton Beach, stated Mr. Kampert outlined the proposal very well. He said he is a hotel owner and many in the audience tonight work in the tourist industry and are here to support the proposal. Mr. Bruner said Okaloosa Island has beautiful beaches but not many recreational activities for our guests. He said the putt-putt course would be a good family activity. Mr. Keith Kozar stated he moved from Destin to Okaloosa Island, saying it is quiet and clean. He did not feel Okaloosa Island would be a good place for the proposed activity. Ms. Beth Ann Adams stated the mini golf course will he landscaped with native vegetation, there will be no loud music, Dark Sky lighting will be used, and no alcohol will be sold. She stressed this will not be like a carnival. Mr. Jack Bruner, Yacht Club Drive, said Okaloosa Island could use a golf course and an ice cream spot. Ms. Mildred Edward, Coral Drive, said she does not think a mini golf course should be on the Island. She had concerns about people crossing the street to get to the course. Mr. Sonny Richards Smart, Amberjack Drive, said in the 1980s a small golf course was started and became an adventure park. He posed questions on traffic congestion, parking, sidewalks, and location of adult establishments in the area. Mr. Greg Burdette, Barracuda Avenue, stated there are no sidewalks on the gulf side of the highway and no crosswalks at August 19, 2014 -5- Minute Book 71, Page 223 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners the beach accessways. He expressed concerns that it would not be safe for people to walk to the golf course. Ms. Stacy Glover, Barracuda Avenue, stated she lives next door to the site and it would be good to have something wholesome on Okaloosa Island. She said there are not enough child-oriented activities on the Island. Mr. Harry Gornto, Fort Walton Beach, stated he supports this wholesome activity and it would be nice to have something closer to do rather than going to Destin. The public comment portion of the hearing was closed. Mr. Harris said he would rather see this type activity on Okaloosa Island. Mr. Parisot referred to the concerns expressed about crosswalks and asked Mr. Bruner if he is willing to fund a crosswalk. Mr. Bruner replied, “if there is a reasonable cost.” Upon further inquiry by Mr. Parisot, Mr. Bruner answered that he will construct