Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 05-17-05 workshop minutes — reading text

noted that Council has not yet designated that property as a park. The City Attorney pointed out the City currently does not have animal control in the Code since it contracts with PAWS for animal control in the City, but the ordinance would give the City control over animals in the park. It was clarified that the ordinance would apply only to public parks and would not apply to private property; that a private property owner can call the Police Department who will call PAWS. It was suggested the subject would make a good Beach Bits article. During discussion on the definition of direct control by means of a leash or tether but not by verbal or aural control and the city parks where animal are not permitted to run at large, it was expressed that owners take their pets to neighborhood parks to play and run, but are under voice control, and that community parks may be the appropriate place to enforce the ordinance. The City Attorney explained the fourth ordinance will clarify the purpose of the alarm code, require operational reliability and proper use 0 f systems in effort to reduce emergency responses to false alarms, clarify responsibilities 0 f fire and police departments, establish a system 0 fa dministration, establish penalties for false alarms, establish permit fees, and provide an appeals process. Some discussion was held on alarm appeals with the Police Department to appoint a Hearing Master to hear all appeals and a Hearing Officer to be the final authority and the appeals of Fire Department fines to be presented to the Code Enforcement Board who shall be the final authority. The City Attorney mentioned that the charge for personnel costs could a Iso be added tot he penalty. She further suggested that a set of procedures be established for the Police Department's Hearing Officer. The City Attorney pointed out the fifth ordinance has two versions. She explained currently the wrecker code only deals with the wrecker rotation program and Version A is a clean- up only of the current provisions t hat would provide consistent treatment 0 f a II 0 ccupationall icense requirements and permit administrative control over administrative issues that would permit the City Manager to incorporate administrative provisions in an administrative directive regarding the wrecker rotation program. She explained Version B addresses private towing regulations that would provide consistent treatment of all occupational license requirements, permit administrative control over administrative issues, and regulate wrecker operations within the City. During discussion on private towing regulations comments included the number of complaints received on the hours of operation, storage and accessibility of wrecker companies; and the need for more stringent regulations. It was noted that the legislature is currently addressing the issue and suggested that Council address the issue after the legislature and the Governor have acted on it. Council expressed a preference for Version B. 168 5- 17- 05 Wrap- Up The City Manager complimented the City Attorney for the excellent job she has done on the Code revisions. LIZA-JACKSON PARK In response to Mr. Patterson' s question of when Liza Jackson Park would re- open, the City Manager explained the boat ramp is open but it has been too wet to be able to get the equipment out there to work on the park and mentioned the difficulty in getting a quote to redesign the pavilions. HURRICANE SEASON In response to Mr. Patterson' s question on the status of reimbursement from FEMA for Hurricane Ivan and the financial condition of the City in the event of a major hurricane this season, the City Manager explained that FEMA has been billed $ 4. 8 million and the City has received around $ 2. 7 million. She noted the City has $ 10 million in the Fund Balance with $ 5 million undesignated which would allow some latitude, so the City is positioned financially. HEIGHT LIMITS Mr. Tucker pointed out the May 13th Editorial height limits and expressed the desire to move on forward as rapidly as possible to place a 75' height limit in the Land Development Code. The City Manager mentioned that staff is working with Eglin A. F. B. and waiting for the results of their study to bring to Council. ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION Mr. Tucker expressed appreciation for receiving a copy of the Florida Attorney General' s Advisory Legal Opinion dated March 20, 2001 on the Sunshine Law and Communication of Position Statements. GOLF COURSE - SHARPE LAWSUIT In response to Mr. Tucker' s question on the status of the lawsuit with Sharpe, the City Attorney responded that the issue is at a standstill, that the City paid the money in trust to Sharpe and from there the claims were greatly reduced. She will move forward and it should be completed before the end of the year. BUY- BACK TIME In response to the question on buy- back time for City Employees the City Manager expressed that the City cannot afford it at this time. GOLF COURSE REVENUES Mr. Campbell pointed out the golf course revenues were increased through April. FAIRGROUNDS PURCHASE Mr. Minich mentioned that a County Commissioner expressed a desire to own the fairgrounds property. The City Manager reported she and the Mayor met with a couple of elected Representatives and a Senator to make sure they understand where the City stands in the process. She spoke with the Forestry contact, Kyle Jones, who is working on the paperwork needed. She said a lot of groundwork has been done and they are working on the issue. She stated she has not met with the County or the Fair Association to determine their needs but will do that in the next couple of weeks. She explained her energy has been focused on getting the purchase process moving forward and the other issues can be done concurrently. The Mayor announced that Gary Pelham will retire July 8th and he will be missed. Mr. Tucker expressed the desire that the fairgrounds purchase issue be kept amicable between the City and the County. TheCity Manager commented that the County has indicated they have no desire to repeat what they went through with the School Board.  5- 17- 05 169 EXECUTIVE SESSION The City Manager reminded Council of the Executive Session scheduled for at 5: 30 p. m. to discuss some Tuesday, May 24, 2005 pending litigation. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8: 30 p. m. 7/ Jt:i:~ iMT: CITY CL K