Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 05-27-08 regular agenda — reading text

Vote: 1. High priority — 14% 2. Yes —71% 3. No — 14% 4. Table for future discussion —0% Examine the possibility of contracting some software services with the County. Vote: 1. High priority —14% 2. Yes —86% 3. No —0% 4. Table for future discussion —0% Consider annexation /merging of cities and /or incorporated areas in South Okaloosa County and restructure, or combine, whichever is appropriate, existing departments to provide public services. Vote: 1. High priority — 14% 2. Yes —57% 3. No — 29% 4. Table for future discussion —0 % Strategy: Examine internal efficiency opportunities Choices: Conduct departmental operational reviews with varying levels of resource availability. Vote: 1. High priority —14% 2. Yes —57% 4 3. No — 29% 4. Table for future discussion —0% Discussion was held on the intent of the reviews to be done internally not by outside firms and that the reviews will be a broader scope of the individual departments that go beyond the normal budget review. Strategic Planning Session 5 -10 -08 119 Strategy: Examine internal efficiency opportunities Choices cont: Establish expert citizen review group for selected large departments that would focus on service necessity and service delivery satisfaction. Vote: 1. High priority —0% 2. Yes — 14% 3. No —86% 4. Table for future discussion —0% Discussion included views that disagreed with formalizing a citizen group for review of departments which would create another level of oversight. Conduct comparative review and provide report on staffing levels and structure for comparable cities. Vote: 1. High priority —0% 2. Yes —0% 3. No —100% 4. Table for future discussion —0% It was noted that the City has already looked at the level of service compared to others. Strategy: Examine outsourcing opportunities Choices: Annually review consultant's report on outsourcing to determine if there are actions the City should be considering. Vote: 1. High priority —43% 2. Yes —57% 3. No —0% 4. Table for future discussion —0% Identify and develop internal contract administration skills for managing outsourced activities. Vote: 1. High priority —14% 2. Yes —57% 3. No — 14% 4. Table for future discussion —14% Strategy: Adopt human resource policies and practices that facilitate the goals of the strategic plan. Choices: Review pension approaches, long term financial trends and alternatives. Vote: 1. High priority —0% 2. Yes —71 % 3. No —29% 4. Table for future discussion —0% The City Manager noted this is being done and some alternative approaches will be brought to Council during the budget process. Examine alternative compensation approaches such as lump sum bonuses. Vote: 1. High priority —0% 2. Yes —71 % 3. No — 29% 4. Table for future discussion —0% 120 Strategic Planning Session 5 -10 -08 Strategy: Adopt human resource policies and practices that facilitate the goals of the strategic plan. Choices cont: Examine health care and benefit approaches both in terms of employer share of cost and alternative approaches. Vote: 1. High priority —0% 2. Yes —86% 3. No —0% 4. Table for future discussion —14% Reexamine health and benefit packages for new hires. Vote: 1. High priority —29% 2. Yes —57% 3. No —14% 4. Table for future discussion —0% Lift accrual caps in lieu of additional compensation. Vote: 1. High priority —0% 2. Yes — 14% 3. No- 71% 4. Table for future discussion — 14% Examine feasibility of employee leasing. Vote: 1. High priority —29% 2. Yes —29% 3. No —43% 4. Table for future discussion —0% Establish salary cap for City positions. Vote: 1. High priority —14% 2. Yes —43% 3. No —43% 4. Table for future discussion —0% It was noted that a majority voted to support something that is already in place and suggested there be a revote with a yes vote for a change and a no vote if satisfied. Re -vote: 1. High priority —0% 2. Yes —14% 3. No —86% 4. Table for future discussion —0% Strategy: Clarify role, authority and reporting lines for Council appointed committees. Choice: 4 Develop guidance document on Council appointed committees that will clarify role and authorities, reporting lines and other operational issues. Vote: 1. High priority —14% 2. Yes —43% 3. No —43% 4. Table for future discussion —0%  Strategic Planning Session 5 -10 -08 121 Strategy: Clarify role, authority and reporting lines for Council appointed committees. Choice cont: Discussion included the views expressed that the committees feel they are ineffective and Council does not listen to them that it is difficult to get people to serve; the desire for a quarterly report; the need for clarification on the circumstances when there is disagreement between the staff and the committee recommendation. Dick Gercak, former Municipal Planning Board member, noted a committee member can only speak on what was approved by the Committee, RECESS The meeting took a break at 9: 30 a. m. RECONVENE The meeting reconvened at 9: 45 a. m. GOAL: PROTECT THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Strategy: Continue to meet all environmental regulations. Choices: Maintain sufficient staffing or contracted resources to be able to meet all environmental regulations. Vote: 1. High priority —29% 2. Yes —71 % 3. No —0% 4. Table for future discussion —0% Loll Re- establish curbside recycling. Vote: 1. High priority —0% 2. Yes —29% 3. No- 71% 4. Table for future discussion —0% Strategy: Create a Stormwater Willty Choice: Prepare analysis and legislation to create utility. Vote: 1. High priority —43% 2. Yes —43% 3. No — 14% 4. Table for future discussion — 0% Strategy: Collaborate with other entities to protect the water bodies of the City. Choices: Convene multi -stakeholder forum and seek funding for collaborative effort. Vote: 1. High priority —14% 2. Yes —86% 3. No — 0% 4. Table for future discussion —0% Millie Thrush expressed her views on the need for regulations and education of the citizens that they should not allow leaves and trash to get into the drains that go into the water system and eventually into the bay. 122 Strategic Planning Session 5 -10 -08 Strategy: Identify energy efficiency opportunities for City facilities. Choices: f Examine energy savings from a city -wide 4 day work week. Vote: 1. High priority —43% 2. Yes — 14% 3. No —29% 4. Table for future discussion —14% Reduction of street lighting City -wide. Vote: 1. High priority —0% 2. Yes — 14% 3. No — 14% 4. Table for future discussion —71% Discussion included views on the current policy of adding street lights per citizen requests and the level of service for street lighting exceeds most residential standards with the City paying the cost over and above the minimal amount required. Conduct energy audit of city operations. Vote: 1. High priority —71 % 2. Yes —29% 3. No —0% 4. Table for future discussion —0% Strateav: Collaborate with other entities to meet Iona term potable water needs of reaion. Choice: Continue participation in regional water supply planning. Vote: 1. High priority —43% 2. Yes —57% 3. No —0% 4. Table for future discussion —0% GOAL: SUPPORT QUALITY OF LIFE SERVICES Strategy: Analyze and prioritize programs by use patterns and alternative sources of revenue. Choice: Conduct analysis of use patterns of city facilities and funding options for programs. Vote: 1. High priority —14% 2. Yes —86% 3. No — 0% 4. Table for further discussion —0% Strategv: Develop volunteer support networks for programs Choices: Accept current level of volunteer effort. Vote: 1. High priority —0% 2. Yes — 0% 3. No —100% 4. Table for further discussion —0% Strategic Planning Session 5 -10 -08 123 Strategy: Develop volunteer support networks for programs Choices cont: Commit additional resources for further volunteer development. Vote: 1. High priority — 14% 2. Yes —86% 3. No —0% 4. Table for further discussion —0% Strategy: Develop partnerships with non -profit entities Choice: Develop plan to actively increase non -profit partnerships with proposed fees needed to make partnerships viable. Vote: 1. High priority —57% 2. Yes —43% 3. No —0% 4. Table for further discussion —0% Strategy: Develop sustainability strategy for funding these services Choices: Update /Draft Cemetery Master Plan ( Perpetual Care) Vote: 1. High priority —14% 2. Yes —29% 3. No —0% 4. Table for future discussion —57% Examine additional impact fees for recreation Vote: 1. High priority —43% 2. Yes —57% 3. No — 0% 4. Table for future discussion —0% Implement user -cost recovery fee system Vote: 1. High priority —43% 2. Yes —57% 3. No - 0% 4. Table for future discussion —0% Strategy: Enhance Alternative Transportation Choice: Develop Coral Greenway Vote: 1. High priority —29% 2. Yes —29% 3. No —0% 4. Table for future discussion —43% Discussion included the desire of the Seabreeze residents that a greenway be developed for their neighborhood, the span of the proposed greenway and areas it would impact. Char Gibscar, resident of Seabreeze, stated they do not have a bike trail or walking trail