Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 09-29-1998 Special — reading text

189 pecial meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was held on Tuesday, September 30, 1998, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, with the following members present: Mayor Glenda Glover Councilmen: Bob Campbell, Jim Dowling, Chris Gibson, Dean Covey, Chuck Kelley Absent: Clay Carnathan, Margie Collins Also Present: Reid Silverboard, City Manager: Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Joyce Shanahan, Finance Director, Phillip Green, Fire Chief: Steve Hogue, Police Chief; Mark Wiltsie, Human Resource Director/Interim Public Works Director, Gene Peters, Parks & Recreation Director, Mark Richard, Golf Club Director, Dominick Fiorentino, MIS Director, and Missy McKim, CDS Director The Mayor called the meeting to order for a status report on the aftermath of Hurricane Georges. The Fire Chief reported the City faired quite well with some roof damage and localized flooding. Around 4:00 a.m. the Picture Show was destroyed by fire and at 6:00 a.m. Damon's Restaurant was destroyed by fire. It is estimated to a little over $2 million in damage. The Fire Department is back to normal operations. The Police Chief reported manpower is back to normal operations and ali the officers could be used for storm related issues. The Interim Public Works Director reported all traffic signals are working and activated and the street signs are back up. Well #7 at the Golf Course has been down for several months, Well #10 motor is burned up and should be back in service tomorrow, and there was damage to a building around Well #6 at the Golf Course. There were numerous problems at lift stations near the sound and the bay with many of them under water, they found sewer line breaks under water, and there were problems at the master pump station located at Robinwood. There were numerous calls on sewer back up in homes; solid waste residential collection was 75%, commercial collection was very light, and the yard waste crews were busy all day long. The City Manager stated there was a problem with one of the diesels at the pump station that got repaired quickly. He requested authorization to rent a diesel for the pump station if it becomes necessary and the cost is over $6,000.00. Ms, Gibson moved to authorize the City Manager to rent a diesel for the pump station if it becomes necessary and the cost is ever 56,000.00. Motion was seconded by Mr. Covey and carried unanimously with Campbell, Dowling, Gibson, Covey, and Kelley in favor (Carnathan and Collins absent). The Parks & Recreation Director reported by and large the City suffered very little damage. A few trees are down, the docks appear to be in good shape, water leaked into the auditorium, the Hedrick Center had a few leaks but they were not related to the storm, and one little light blew down at the Little School House. The CDS Director reported staff did a damage assessment yesterday and will do another one again tomorrow. They found minor damage but nothing major, shingles loose, some carports damaged, and some homes looked like they had water in them. aes MIS Director reported there were not a lot of problems, they took the system down Friday night and retarted on Monday. There was one problem with the Electronic Customer Service line, and for the first time they did not have modem problems, On Thursday they will receive the new system for public safety. 9-29-98 The Sitcom Director reported last night 20 additional trees came down, there are about 45 trees down all broken into pieces. There is water coming through the drainage ditch and flowing rapidly washing out the bulkhead. They lost a few shingles and some roof damage, but nothing major. The City Manager reported the water is coming through and around the culverts and washing out the bridges. It is a serious problem and may affect their ability to re-open the golf course in a timely manner. Staff will have to inspect to make sure there are no sinkholes and it is safe. They are also looking at creating another impoundment in that area to slow the speed of water coming in. Discussion ensued on the drainage problems. The City Manager reported the City is going to try to get a FEMA grant for money for the drainage problem. It was suggested the County be asked for assistance since it is a county road in that area. It was also suggested a public information announcement be made asking citizens to turn off their irrigation system. During discussion of the pump stations and the sewage overflow and spillage problems, the City Manager stated ultimately there would be a warning put out about swimming in the bay. The inance Director reported normal operations were resumed today. A COUNTY ic OF The Mayor reminded Council of the OCLOC dinner scheduled for Thursday, October ist. There being no ether business, the meeting adjourned at 4:53 p.m. approven( Veter (3, 1778 ines ween QQ ver