Okaloosa County League of Cities, Inc. Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
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Okaloosa County League of Cities, Inc.
Minutes
March 5, 2018
Okaloosa County League of Cities, Inc.
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2018
CALL TO ORDER:
President Shannon Hayes called the meeting to order at 12:00 at Two Trees Restaurant in
Fort Walton Beach.
ROLL CALL FOR THE RECORD:
Shannon Hayes (President) – Crestview – Present
Dan Henkel (Vice President) – Niceville – Present
Gary Combs (Secretary/Treasurer) – Shalimar – Present
Nick Chubb – Cinco Bayou – Present
Scott Fischer – Destin – Present
Andrew Bourland – Eglin AFB – Absent
Dick Rynearson – Fort Walton Beach – Present
Hurlburt Field – Absent
Carolyn Ketchel – Okaloosa County – Absent
Heyward Strong – Valparaiso – Present
Scott Moneypenny – Laurel Hill – Present
Chris Stein – Mary Esther – Present
ALSO PRESENT:
Jessica Rehr, Shalimar
MINUTES: OCLOC Board of Directors meeting minutes for December 4, 2017
Meeting. Member Nick Chubb made a motion to approve the minutes of the
December 4, 2017 Board of Directors Meeting as written. The motion was
seconded by Vice President Dan Henkel and passed unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT: The account balance at the December meeting was $2590.27.
Debits (-) since then include:
- Lunch for the December Meeting ($103.92)
- Sunbiz for the Incorporation renewal ($61.25)
- Website Maintenance (to Jessica Rehr) ($500.00)
Credits (+) since then include:
- Dues Payments ($1,350.00)
The current balance of the OCLOC Account is $3275.10
Page 1 of 7Okaloosa County League of Cities, Inc.
Minutes
March 5, 2018
NEW BUSINESS:
I. POSSIBLE SALES TAX – Member Nick Chubb stated the ½ Cent Sales Tax has
been approved. Member Scott Moneypenny explained that he wants the ½ Cent
Sales Tax to be divided up between the cities, based on population not the default
system. President Shannon Hayes stated once each city comes up with a goal for the
½ Cent Sales Tax ballot, he wants each member to meet with a County
Commissioner.
II. UPCOMING ELECTIONS – Member Heyward Strong from Valparaiso, Member Scott
Fischer from Destin are all running for the upcoming elections. Member Chris Stein
from Mary Esther stated he would like to run for re-election at some point.
III. FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES GRANT INFORMATION – (This agenda item was
added at the meeting) – Vice President Dan Henkel stated that you need two
cornerstones to have a successful youth council community, one it’s important that
you have a very active advisor and two that there are students that are willing to
participate and recruit their friends, having great projects and keeping them in the
public eye.
Member Scott Fisher stated that it’s important to hire someone who knows when
grants are coming out and who to compete with. He explained that if you don’t have
an arbor day and plant a tree and have speech, that it will make it harder for cities to
receive grants.
Brochure for our current youth council community service project
Municipal Achievement Awards flyer
Flyer and contact information
Vice President Dan Henkel reported that an email was sent to him and President
Shannon Hayes asking if they could become a member of the OCLOC Executive
Board. Vice President Dan Henkel asked if the Board would possibly be in favor of
changing the charter to allow someone who is not an elected official to become a
member of the OCLOC Executive Board. Several of the members stated they were
not in favor of changing the charter to allow non-elected officials to be a part of the
OCLOC Executive Board.
President Shannon Hayes stated that Member Scott Moneypenny received a letter
from County Commissioner Graham Fountain. President Shannon Hayes explained
that Commissioner Graham Fountain appointed Commissioner Ketchel to serve on the
statutory boards, committees and commissions, as well as the community partner
organizations.
President Shannon Hayes reminded the Board that the Ethics Training is on April 20th
at the Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center.
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Page 2 of 7Okaloosa County League of Cities, Inc.
Minutes
March 5, 2018
Next Quarterly Dinner – Hosted by Destin on April 19, 2018
Next OCLOC Board of Directors meeting – June 4, 2018 at Two Trees
ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE MUNICIPALITIES:
Cinco Bayou
The new Department of Juvenile Justice location has opened on Kelly Ave and the
Town has been working with Matt McGee with First City Holdings to get that project up
and running.
We have been working with our Engineering Firm Dewberry to resubmit projects to
Okaloosa County for the RESTORE funding.
Redevelopment is expected on the horizon for the Eglin Pkwy corridor. Freeland &
Associates are currently working on the re-plat of 2 acres where the Subway and
several small antique shops are currently located.
The Gathering Church is moving into Cinco Bayou. They purchased the 3 acres of land
where the Dollar General is located and are remodeling the back portion of that
building to house their new church which is expected to open in April.
The Town has several paving projects on its 5-year Capital Improvement list but have
been struggling to find company’s willing to quote small jobs with all of the paving
projects currently going on in Okaloosa County.
Crestview
The City of Crestview will have a Charter referendum on the August 28th primary
election ballot. The Charter change will include some updating of language, the
addition of a City Manager, and the Change from an elected City Clerk to an appointed
City Clerk. These items will probably be separated on the Ballot.
Also upcoming in March will be the Ordinances regarding several annexations, Red light
Cameras, and regulations of RV’s/Campers.
We will also be starting the Budget process in March.
Destin
The City of Destin and The Trust for Public Land held a groundbreaking ceremony for
the Captain Leonard Destin Park on Thursday, February 22, 2018. The groundbreaking
celebrated the construction of the new park and the partnership between the City, The
Trust for Public Land and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The
project will pay tribute to Destin’s founding father, Captain Leonard Destin. In 2015,
the trust for public land bought this piece of property with funding from the Deepwater
Horizon settlement. They have donated the park to the City of Destin for permanent
ownership.
The Norriego Point Project remains on schedule. The multi-phase construction project
on Norriego Point is on track for its scheduled completion in the spring of 2019. The
current stabilization phase is projected to be finished by May 28th of this year.
Page 3 of 7Okaloosa County League of Cities, Inc.
Minutes
March 5, 2018
Construction will include shoreline stabilization, beach and dune restoration, and
recreation improvements.
The City Council on Tuesday, February 20th agreed to repeal the City’s new tree
ordinance and schedule a workshop to begin crafting new tree protection and
preservation rules.
Mayor Scott Fischer gave his annual State of the City address on Monday, February 5th.
His speech included a look at various city accomplishments from 2017, as well as
updates on ongoing city projects and issues. He informed the citizens that City officials
have kept property taxes low, negotiated a new contract with Waste Management that
features lower costs for customers, and continues to seek the “best, most cost-
efficient” electric utility for Destin customers. He also noted that the City appointed a
short-term rental task force, began requiring the registration of all livery vessels,
revised the city’s noise ordinance, passed an ordinance to regulate medical marijuana
distribution facilities and made progress on the planned Crosstown Connector road
project, which is expected to relieve traffic congestion on U.S. Highway 98.
The Okaloosa County Commission unanimously agreed to spend an estimated $2
million in bed tax money to restore a portion of severely eroded beach on Holiday
Isle. The City of Destin has a maintenance dredge permit that can be used for the
beach restoration work, which would utilize a dredge that is already at work in East
Pass on the Norriego Point restoration project. Besides using their permit, Destin
officials would be responsible for contract negotiations and construction management
for the beach restoration. The County’s Tourist Development Department will
reimburse the City for the costs. At a special meeting on Monday, February 26th, the
Destin City Council approved the contract for professional consulting services with
Taylor Engineering, Inc., the Interlocal Agreement Between Okaloosa County and the
City of Destin, and beach access and nourishment easements.
On Monday evening, January 8th, City of Destin officials hosted a workshop with local
and state officials, law enforcement, business owners and residents to identify
problems around Crab Island and how to fix them and what can be done to enhance
safety. Crab Island though not in the city limits of Destin and therefore outside the
city’s regulatory jurisdiction, has been one of the area’s top destinations for many
years.
The city had a 30-year franchise with Gulf Power to provide electric service to the city.
This franchise has come to an end and the City Council is exploring options that could
reduce electricity costs for residents and businesses while continuing to provide
excellent service.
The City Council has formed a short-term rental task force made up of residents,
business owners and short-term rental representatives with a goal to find solutions for
various short-term rental issues like noise, overcrowding and parking. The Task Force
brought back a recommendation to the City Council at their regular meeting on
February 20th.
Earlier in 2017, the City Council moved forward with a pay-to-park program at the
Marler Street parking lot in the Harbor District. The program has generated
approximately $8,000. The City is using part of that revenue to improve the City’s
Page 4 of 7Okaloosa County League of Cities, Inc.
Minutes
March 5, 2018
parking lot at Zerbe Street and implement the pay-to-park program there. This parking
lot should be ready by spring 2018. Other right-of-way parking are also being explored
in the Harbor District as well as in the Crystal Beach area.
Eglin AFB – There was no one from Eglin present.
Fort Walton Beach
Annexation of 50 Acres of Air Force Property at 1900 Lewis Turner Boulevard –
annexation complete; development review process underway.
Fire Training Tower and Class Room Project – projected completion date of June 30th;
training facility available to all fire departments.
Commerce & Technology Park Master Plan – focus group discussions underway.
Downtown Master Plan Transportation Phase Approval – approved by OWTPO on
February 22nd for inclusion in the Long Range Transportation Needs Plan & Cost
Feasible Plan.
Gulf view Hotel Relocation – projected relocation date of April 3rd, contingent on
approval by FDOT.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facility – continuing to coordinate with state and
local officials to create a Central Receiving Facility in South Okaloosa County.
Triumph Gulf Coast Projects: approved at the Pre-Application Phase by the Triumph
Board:
- City of FWB Municipal Marina;
- City of FWB Landing Ferry System & Dock Expansion;
Hurlburt Field – There was no one from Hurlburt Field present.
Laurel Hill
Member Scott Moneypenny reported he is now the Chairman for Laurel Hill and he has
canceled all Town meetings until they find an Attorney to represent their Town.
Mary Esther
Member Chris Stein reported that Mary Esther will start paying their City
Commissioners $250 and the Mayor $300 to serve on the Commission.
Page 5 of 7Okaloosa County League of Cities, Inc.
Minutes
March 5, 2018
Niceville
Youth Council traveled to Tallahassee during legislative action days to learn more
about government at the state level and visit the Governor's Mansion, and other key
areas of the capital city.
Niceville library hosted a "Boston Butt" sale to raise funds for the annual Boggy Bayou
July 4th fireworks display.
Highway 20 median project has been completed. Added shrubs and flowering trees
and grass along with watering system.
Thomas Branch Update: The purchase of the 2.38-acre tract needed for the storm
water treatment facility was completed and the reimbursement request submitted to
National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) which issued the grant to the city.
Plans are being finalized to begin the process of charging customers who use of
reclaimed water for lawn/vegetation watering.
The Senior Center is getting closer to opening. Most of the exterior work has been
completed, but there is still more work that needs to be done on the interior. Hoping
for an April/May time-frame opening.
Mayor Wise was reappointed to the Okaloosa Gas District Board.
Okaloosa County – There was no one from Okaloosa County present.
Shalimar
Hired part-time administrative person to continue digitizing all paper records.
Updating LDC to address several residential parking issues.
Installed two speed bumps on Gardner Drive - they are working.
Engineers working on storm water management plan and paving of Town Hall area.
Valparaiso
In February we had our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for a new Column Barium addition to
Sunset Cemetery.
The T-Pier rebuild is almost completed.
The Commission Signed a contract with Asphalt Paving Systems to Micro-surface 20
Streets.
We sold a surplus Fire Engine to Almarante Fire District.
Bid Opening March 2nd, for a CDBG Grant Lift Station Rehab.
March 13th we will have a Municipal election for Mayor.
We will have two new Commissioners starting March 20th, Jay Denney and Edward
Crosby.
Page 6 of 7Okaloosa County League of Cities, Inc.
Minutes
March 5, 2018
CLOSING COMMENTS: There were no closing comments.
ADJOURN – The meeting was adjourned at 1:08.
Mayor Gary Combs, Secretary/Treasurer Date Approved
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