Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 04-28-09 regular minutes — reading text

asked for public input. There was none. Mr. Garvie moved to approve the Sister City Proclamation between the Cities of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and Kristinehamn, Sweden. Mr. Reeves seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, Nabors, and Patterson in favor Rynearson absent). FUNDING FOR TRIP TO SWEDEN —SISTER CITY EVENTS Request approval of expenditure for funding up to $ 2,000 for the Mayor to attend the Sister City events in Sweden. The Mayor explained this funding will cover his airplane ticket to Sweden and a hotel room. Mr. Garvie moved to approve an expenditure for funding up to $ 2, 000 for the Mayor to attend the Sister City events in Kristinehamn, Sweden. Mr. Nabors seconded motion. The Mayor asked for public input. There was none. Discussion included the benefit of the Mayor traveling to Sweden and that the trip would not be an annual event; the importance of the Mayor's attendance in representing the City; and that the cost of $2,000 is not feasible in these economic times. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion and it failed by a vote of 2 to 4 with Garvie and Nabors in favor and Holmes, Miller, Reeves, and Patterson opposed ( Rynearson absent).  173 Regular Council 4 -28 -09 RES. 2009 -15— OPPOSITION TO OFF -SHORE DRILLING LEGISLATION A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA EXPRESSING OPPOSITION TO CS /CS /CS /HB 1219 WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT TRUST FUND TO ACCEPT AND AWARD BIDS FOR OIL AND GAS LEASES ON SUBMERGED LANDS UNDERLYING THE TERRITORIAL WATERS OF THE STATE; PROVIDING FOR THE CITY CLERK TO SEND CERTIFIED COPIES OF THE RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR AND MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA SENATE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. The Acting City Manager advised that Slater Bayliss of the Advocacy Group notified him that the legislation proposes to allow the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust fund to accept and award bids for oil and gas leases on submerged lands underlying the territorial waters of the state. The Acting City Manager continued that since the area's economy is dependent on both tourism and the military presence, an oil spill or encroachment on the Gulf of Mexico ranges would seriously impact the area' s sustainability. He informed that the legislation will go before the Senate for a vote later this week and requested City Council express its opinion by way of this resolution, and to act on it this evening. The Acting City Manager explained that the bill provides for structures to be no closer than 3 miles, so between 3 and 10 miles lands could be leased for exploration which would necessitate the placement of structures, with the risk of oil spills. Discussion ensued regarding the verbiage in Paragraph 5 of the resolution that states the City Council has evaluated the impact of a potential oil spill, and that the words ' has evaluated' be changed to ' recognizes.' Mr. Patterson noted the difficult decision that exists as there is a gas basin under the gulf floor and not oil, and that the gas basin has to be drilled into and that the resolution states that the Council does not support drilling. Mr. Nabors moved to adopt Res. 2009 -15, amending the verbiage in Paragraph 5 of the resolution, replacing the words ` has evaluated' with the word ` recognizes.' Mr. Garvie seconded motion and it carried by a vote of 4 to 2 with Holmes, Reeves, Garvie, and Nabors in favor and Miller and Patterson opposed ( Rynearson absent). CITY MANAGER REPORTS The Acting City Manager advised he received an e- mail from Slater Bayliss of The Advocacy Group in regards to the re -use water line and that there is a possibility there will be an addition to the grant funding. The Acting City Manager asked John Hofstad to review it and how it will affect the reuse line. The Acting City Manager also advised the City is in the process of discussing with Shalimar the possibility of providing Shalimar with building department services and that an interlocal agreement will come to Council for consideration at the next meeting. The Acting City Manager stated the City is pursuing the City of Destin as well in this endeavor. MAYOR/COUNCIL COMMENTS Mr. Garvie noted this has been a very sad week for the City and the area with the deaths of two sheriff's officers. Mr. Reeves commented he supports the City Attorney when she brings an item forward that is worded properly but is uncomfortable with changes in verbiage and phrases and ' hacking' something together. 1, 74 Regular Council 4 -28 -09 MAYOR/COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS (CONT) Mr. Miller mentioned an experience with the City Attorney he felt violated a confidence that he thought was a client/attorney relationship regarding the issue of Mike Minich's golf club account. He expressed the belief that Council needs to know the expectations of the City Attorney. Mike Minich, 106 Waynel Circle, mentioned a violation of the Charter with a councilman going directly to a department director and giving a directive without the knowledge of the City Manager; expressed that the issue is not appropriate to bring up under Council comments and should be placed on the agenda with time to be studied by other Council members. He described his conversation with the City Attorney regarding his golf course account where he explained he had paid for the rounds. He asked if there were any questions. The Mayor stated what has been brought up is not appropriate under Council comments and should be placed on the agenda. Mr. Miller said he will place it on the agenda. He requested the Acting City Manager to address Mr. Minich' s comment. The Acting City Manager stated he did not document the conversation with Mr. Miller, or any other Council member regarding a request to talk with a director, but advised his general policy is to give his consent if a Council member has a need to discuss something with a director. Mr. Holmes expressed his belief that the issue is something for Mr. Miller and the City Manager to discuss, and was unclear why it was being brought to Council as it has nothing to do with policy. The Mayor commented the appraisal and evaluation of the City Attorney needs to be an agenda item and it is inappropriate to do so without a formal agenda item. The Mayor mentioned his experience at Eglin to watch the Joint Striker fighter plane come in; that Valparaiso dropped out of the Okaloosa County League Of Cities because they felt the OCLOC did not support them as it should; the Habitat For Humanity home on Harbeson is a certified all -green construction; the excellent Earth Day event; the fantastic Musical Echoes Festival last weekend; and the fun City picnic last Saturday. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:54 pm. rW / RED M Ive