Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 09-11-2007 workshop agenda — reading text

Tucker, Wayne Pullen, Jim Hartwell, and Mike Minich. Also Present: Joyce Shanahan, City Manager; Helen Spencer, City Clerk; Lisa Absher, Finance Director; Toni Craig, City Attorney; Missy McKim, CDS Director; Mike Dutton, Fire Chief; Tom Murray, Public Works Director; John Hofstad, Utilities. Director; Jim Frazier, Golf Club Administrator; Jeff Peters, Parks and Recreation Director; Mark Wiltsie, Human Resource Director; Ted Litschauer, Police Chief; Mike Tatum, Purchasing Director; and Dave Jenzen, MIS Director. Facilitator: Dr. Herb Marlowe, Jr., Ph. D. CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. STATE OF THE CITY The Mayor went over the State of the City with a recap of the overall picture on the cost savings; key achievements; the tax base and economic information on new construction, cost of living, affordable housing, retail sales and the bed tax; the city services provided for police, fire, EMS, parks & recreation, water and sewer, sanitation, and golf; and the community hot button issues of the homeless, affordable housing, storm water, traffic, and transportation. The City Manager mentioned that the Okaloosa County Community Development Corporation and the Chamber have partnered together to work on the homeless and aff9rdable housing issue. She stated the City is working on an RFP for storm water management. She also mentioned a letter was received from First City Bank in strong opposition to the proposed one- way street on Perry"and First. The Mayor mentioned the by- pass through Eglin may not be as helpful as originally thought, affordable housing is being addressed by the Eglin Management group; and the legislators may consider doing away with the property tax and increasing the sales tax to raise additional revenue. . Mr. Tucker expressed his desire that Council take a position on the location of the bridge. The City Manager mentioned in preparation for the annual budget meetings, three workshops will be scheduled in the near future. She said the first will be on impact fees next Tuesday, another workshop to discuss the ad valorem taxes, and another workshop on storm water management. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS Kabe Woods, 240 Brooks Street, asked Council to focus on health and safety, water and sewer, transportation and infrastructure as priorities for the City. He mentioned the bridge location should be in line with the vision of the City and expressed his support for one- way streets in the downtown area.  Strategic Planning Session 1- 20- 07 154 GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS cont Don Panzenhagen, 267 EWing Court and Historic Sites and Structures Advisory Board Chairman, mentioned the Board recommends the. City do what is required to become a Certified Local Government. He pointed out the need to update a very old historic structures inventory and to initiate a citywide archaeological survey. He mentioned the Board is willing but will need more staff support. He estimated $ 50, 000 a year would be reasonable to dedicate to the effort and if the staff support cannot be absorbed with the current staff, then additional staff will be needed. Doug Reed, 842 Santa Rosa Court and owner of Merlin' s downtown, suggested streamlining the permitting process for contractors as some areas are redundant. He mentioned. none of the downtown businesses were aware the one-way streets downtown was as far along and are in the process of being approved. The City Manager explained the issue came up recently at the CRA charette on the CRA Plan. Update; they are not close to having public meetings on it as it is still part of the discussion phase. Bill Garvie, 315 Shell Avenue SE, mentioned the storm water coming off the streets and going into the waters. He complimented staff for receiving a grant to install four storm water separators and requested the City continue with the effort and to install more storm water separators. DISCUSSION ITEMS Discussion was held on the following issues: RethinkinQ the business of City government Issues Boards and Committees - discussion included the need for direct and open communication; are they following the strategic plan; receive quarterly, semi- annual, or annual report by Chairman, or regular slot on agenda to allow reports as needed. Alternative means of service delivery - discussion includep consolidation of fire and police services in south Okaloosa County; expand police and fire services RFP to look at ways to provide servi ces in the most cost effective manner such as outsourcing, consolidation, public/ private partnerships, privatization, and Interlocal Agreements. E- Government - discussion included expanding Council e- capability at meetings; provide Council a information at a laptop at meetings for capability of instant retrieval of information; waiting to access slow and the Charter Officers having the capability to access information at meeting may process; meetings. Human Resources policv - compensation/ retirement - discussion included establishing a hard maximum on pay chart; have an overall review of the retirement program; doing a compensation retirement survey; establish a bonus system with a one time bonus; and having a review of all compensation systems. if the Ad valorem tax - discussion included the need for a balance of businesses and residences legislature eliminates the ad valorem tax and increases the sales tax. of operating Reserve poliev - discussion included revisiting the City's current policy to maintain 20% reserve fund. expenses in the reserve fund with 26% currently in the than 6' above sea City Hall relocation - discussion included moving City Hall to a location higher the City Hall facilities to another location, let the reverter level and away from the waterfront; move clause kick in so the property will revert back to the tax rolls, or keep portion a of the city government function at the current location so the reverter clause would not apply. Council protocol - encourage new Council members to read the protocol handbook.  Strategic Planning Session 1- 20-07 155 RECESS The moming session took a break at 10: 15 a. m. RECONVENE The moming session reconvened at 10: 30 a. m. Business climate for redevelopment issues Permitting review and enforcement process - discussion included creating a pamphlet of regulations to give to developers; re- address ordinances that may be faulty; following the ordinances and applying equally; sending a latter to the downtown property owners to come in to find out what they can and cannot do; having a Development Order in place; requiring a foundation survey within timeframe or stop work order issued; site plan amendments for major and minor changes; and streamline the process with shorter time between steps. . land Development Code review - it was reported this was an objective from last years strategic meeting and the process is underway, Council and the will have public time to review. adequate Architectural reQulations - discussion included developing architectural regulations with defined parameters that will achieve a balance between being business friendly and the community standards that align with the vision plan, and avoid personal opinions. ParkinQ - Council will discuss further when the downtown parking study is completed; also discussed revisiting the parking regulations for condominiums/ motels. CRA balance and boundaries - discussion included continuing the balanced approach of CRA investment, two way discussions between the CRA Board and Council; CRA to give recommendations and Council to provide guidance; future discussion on how to appoint members to the Boards; and clean up of the south side of Highway 98. BREAK The moming session broke for lunch at 11 : 30 a. m. RECONVENE The afternoon session reconvened at 12:00 p. m. DISCUSSION cont. Historic preservation - discussion on the Certified Local Government ( CLG) process included comments that there are specific requirements for the application and changes will have to be made to some ordinances in order to meet the criteria; it will require a more stringent review by the Historic Sites Board for development proposals as well as demolition; once certified there are further requirements for close coordination with the State Historic Preservation Officer and the City will qualify for grants that will help with the update of the historic structures inventory and the survey of the archaeological resources in the City; and the process will require additional staff. VagrancY - discussion included the report that the Police Chief is working. on a more aggressive panhandling ordinance; the Community Police Department has been asked to develop a business safety training program for the downtown businesses; the Police Chief will prepare a duty roster to show when and where the CRA Officer and the Community Police Officers are downtown and to spend as much time downtown as possible; improving the lighting on streets and sidewalks downtown and along First Street