Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 06-26-07 regular minutes — reading text

services, and citizen outreach among others, and that the City could be nominated under that category, and that he could put together a package encompassing all of these areas for consideration. Mr. Minich nominated the City of Fort Walton Beach for the City of Excellence Award, and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. Mr. Garvie nominated City Clerk Helen Spencer for City Clerk of the Year, and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. Mr. Minich nominated City Manager Joyce Shanahan for City Manager of the Year, and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. Mr. Minich wanted to state that the City Manager gives a lot of her time mentoring, and has been named the Rotarian of the Year, as well as her activities with the City. The Mayor mentioned that Barry Gray, a resident of the Combs New Heights area, has done a lot for the neighborhood with a resource center and has really brought the neighborhood together, and he recommended him to be considered for City Citizen of the Year. The City Manager advised he has spoken before Council on various issues, and has worked with various City departments on behalf of the City. Mr. Minich nominated Barry Gray for City Citizen of the Year. Mr. Garvie mentioned that Susan Myers has done a lot for the City throughout the years and feels she should be recognized for an award as well. Mr. Garvie nominated Susan Myers for City Citizen of the Year. The nominations were closed and voted on alphabetically. The Mayor called for the vote on Barry Gray for Citizen of the Year and it carried by a vote of 6 to 1 with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor and Garvie opposed. Mr. Hartwell wanted to clarify that a vote for Mr. Gray was not a vote against Ms. Myers. Mr. Garvie advised he understood that and was in favor of Mr. Gray as well, but he wanted to save his vote for Ms. Myers.  45 6/ 26/ 07 Regular Meeting AGREEMENT WITH ALETHEIA RESEARCH MANAGEMENT Consideration of authorizing the Finance Director and the pension attorney to negotiate an agreement with Aletheia Research and Management, Inc., to manage a portion of the assets of the General Employees Pension Plan. Further direct that staff brings the final contract back to Council for their approval. The Finance Director advised that the General Employees Pension Advisory Committee has been working with replacing Davis Hamilton Jackson & Associates as the investment manager for the City with Aletheia Research and Management. She advised that the City' s pension attorney and the attorney for Aletheia were not able to complete a finalized draft agreement in time, so at this time there was no agreement for Council to consider. The City Attorney had recommended in the back- up material that Council authorize negotiation of a contract with Aletheia, at which time the final version of the contract would come back to Council. The City Manager clarified she did not concur with the recommendation because of the City Attorney' s recommendation, not because she did not agree with the selection of Aletheia. Mr. Minich moved to authorize the Finance Director and Pension Attorney to negotiate an Services agreement with Aletheia Research and Management for Investment Manager and bring back the contract once finalized. Mr. Garvie seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. Discussion ensued regarding the May 15, 2007 Pension Advisory Committee minutes included in the agenda report; specifically, whether City employee Charles Davidson received any recognition in bringing to the City' s attention a discrepancy which resulted in considerable savings to the City. City Manager suggested The Mr. Davis could be considered as part of the Employee Suggestion Program. STATUS UPDATE OF PROJECTS Status update on specific Council directives and key projects. the The City Manager discussed the status of several on- going projects within the City including Stormwater Utility Plan, advising that the negotiations with the top- ranked provider did not work She also out, so negotiations are taking place with the second- ranked firm, Tectra- Tech. the traffic signalpole at Highway 98 and Memorial, and the discussed the peeling paint on Public Works Director is talking with FOOT about possibly being reimbursed by them if the City pays to get the pole painted. Additional discussion included the Liza Jackson Park Improvements probably will not begin until or October; that the consultants for the Parking Study in the CRA will address the September concerns regarding the time of year the study was done; that a Memorandum of Understanding with the Fair Association will be drafted regarding the pro- ration of rent during natural disasters or emergencies and will be brought to Council; that the city Attorney and Staff will meet with the Staff Orasa Group to discuss the issue of the lease regarding the veranda at the Golf Club; that has met informally with Lamar Signs regarding possible amendments to the settlement and that the agreement as was discussed at the Strategic Planning Session in January; Center will be brought before the CRA Board at preliminary site plan approval for the Landmark their July 11, 2007 meeting. Also discussed was the status of the Presidio regarding the setback issue, and the CDS Director advised she had no information at this time, but it is a condition that has to be met before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued. 46 Regular Meeting 6/ 26/ 07 VOTING DELEGATE- FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES CONFEENCE Consideration of appointing a Voting Delegate for the Florida League of Cities Conference in August. The Voting Delegate form must be submitted to the FLOC by July 27, 2007. Mr. Minich nominated Mayor Anderson to be the Voting Delegate for the FLOC Conference in August. Dr. Pullen nominated Virgil Miller to be the Voting Delegate for the FLOC Conference in August. The Mayor advised the vote would be taken in alphabetical order, and called for the vote ci on the nomination that he be the voting delegate to the FLOC Conference in August and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. Council agreed that the Mayor was the most highly qualified to represent the City at the League with his knowledge and experience of the past years. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Mr. Miller suggested that a log of suggestions be made for workshops scheduled in the future and the topics. MAYOR/COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilman Minich mentioned Council has collective authority, not individual authority, and expressed displeasure over another Council member speaking for him on an issue that has not been voted on. Councilman Hartwell echoed the comments he did not like anyone speaking for him and all discussions should be in the Chamber. He commented on the flag pole issue and height expressed his concern that Pandora' s Box has been opened for high rise buildings 150' tall. Councilman Pullen commented on the vision plan and the height issue; expressed his hope that the four Charter Officers will work together as a team, and pointed out the Finance Director has the sole responsibility for the money of the City. He mentioned at a future Council workshop should very seriously discuss how code enforcement is done. Councilman Garvie mentioned the 2nd Annual Workforce Summit he attended several weeks ago in Sandestin held in partnership with the Workforce Development Board of Okaloosa and Walton Counties, CHOICE Institutes of Okaloosa School District, Florida' s Great Northwest, Workforce Florida, Inc., and other State and Community partners. Councilman Reeves mentioned concern of employees for the City about the study undertaken to outsource possible jobs and expressed his feelings that positions for the people who work for the City are secure and if they need to downsize to look at other than ways just letting people go. He mentioned the City has a group of individuals that collectively take care of checks and balances for the City. Councilman Miller commented on the morale of the City and encouraged anyone to write to Council so they may know how they feel and gave assurance that Council is going to maintain the benefits of the City employees. He then addressed his of free right speech when speaking with others and understanding that Council makes decisions as a collective body. Councilman Holmes mentioned the attractive medians on Miracle Strip Parkway; and commented on the many City employees that assisted with the clean from an accident that