Fort Walton Beach public meetings in 2022

Code Enforcement Board - Regular Meeting

The Community Redevelopment Agency approved its quarterly update report. The board declined to approve the proposed Residential Rehabilitation and Development Program at this time, opting to remove it from the motion for further review.

• Approved agenda (unanimous)
• Approved September 13, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Accepted 2023 CRA Quarterly Update Report (unanimous)
• Withdrew approval of Residential Rehabilitation and Development Program from motion (unanimous)

City Council - Special Meeting

The City Council convened a special meeting to enter an executive session. The session was held to discuss the Battalion Chiefs’ Collective Bargaining Agreement. No further substantive actions were taken before adjournment.

• Approved agenda (Unanimous)
• Approved motion to enter Executive Session to discuss Battalion Chiefs’ Collective Bargaining Agreement (Unanimous)
• Approved motion to close Executive Session and reconvene Special Meeting (Unanimous)

City Council - Regular Meeting

Council approved several infrastructure contracts, including a watermain and sewer project and a solid waste disposal agreement. The body also passed an ordinance prohibiting smoking in city-owned parks and beaches. Discussions regarding the transfer of the fairgrounds property to Okaloosa County were tabled for January.

• Approved $1,357,825 contract with Gulf Coast Utility Contractors for watermain and sewer forcemain (Unanimous)
• Approved ordinance prohibiting smoking in city-owned parks and beaches (5-2)
• Approved $12,500 per month three-month IT support agreement with vTECH io (Unanimous)
• Approved $142,300 contribution to FDOT for utility work (Unanimous)
• Approved Locally Funded Agreement for 'Around the Mound' PD&E Study (Unanimous)
• Awarded five-year solid waste disposal contract to Allied Services, LLC (5-0)
• Approved Fifth Lease Amendment with VB Nimbus, LLC (4-2)
• Canceled award to Iron Container, LLC and awarded dumpster bid to Wastequip Mfg. Co. (Unanimous)

Local Planning Agency - Regular Meeting

The City Council convened a special meeting and entered an executive session to discuss the Battalion Chiefs’ Collective Bargaining Agreement. No other substantive actions were taken.

• Approved agenda (Unanimous)
• Approved motion to enter Executive Session regarding Battalion Chiefs’ Collective Bargaining Agreement (Unanimous)

City Council - Special Meeting

The City Council approved a recruitment process for a new City Manager and authorized a bid for the School Board property at 120 Lowery Place. The recruitment process includes specific criteria for candidate experience, salary, and residency.

• Approved City Manager Recruitment and Selection Process by Colin Baenziger & Associates (Unanimous)
• Authorized Acting City Manager Peters and Mark Bethea to place an offer on 120 Lowery Place (5-1)
• Approved the meeting agenda (Unanimous)
• Waived Robert's Rules of Order for the City Manager recruitment discussion (Unanimous)

City Council - Regular Meeting

The City Council approved hiring Collin, Baenziger & Associates to lead the search for a new City Manager. Council also voted to exonerate City Clerk Kim Barnes following a review of employee complaints. Additionally, the council rejected a proposal to surplus the fairgrounds property and requested new bids for City Hall Annex HVAC replacement.

• Hired Collin, Baenziger & Associates for City Manager recruitment for up to $30,000 (6-1)
• Exonerated City Clerk Kim Barnes (6-1)
• Approved $25,000 FDOT grant for DUI enforcement (Unanimous)
• Approved $4,052.70 Bureau of Justice grant for bulletproof vests (Unanimous)
• Approved $540,701.00 final amendment to FY 2021-22 General Fund budget (Unanimous)
• Denied motion to begin surplus process for fairgrounds property at 1958 Lewis Turner Boulevard (3-4)
• Denied $84,982.00 HVAC replacement contract for City Hall Annex (1-6)
• Approved request for new bids for City Hall Annex HVAC replacement (Unanimous)

Code Enforcement Board - Regular Meeting

The Board issued several compliance orders and administrative fees for violations including illegal commercial use, lack of permits, and water service issues. Four specific cases were ordered to be corrected by set deadlines or face daily fines. Ten other cases were noted as compliant before the hearing.

• Ordered 118 Mississippi Avenue NW to correct violations by March 10, 2023, with a $325 fee and $100 daily fine (Unanimous)
• Ordered 20 Crescent Circle SW to correct violations by November 21, 2022, with a $325 fee (Unanimous)
• Ordered 125 Rainbow Drive NW to correct violations by February 8, 2023, with a $325 fee and $100 daily fine (Unanimous)
• Ordered 195 Rose Marie Lane SW to correct violations as of September 26, 2022, with a $325 fee and $100 daily fine (Unanimous)
• Approved amended agenda (Unanimous)
• Approved October 12, 2022 meeting minutes (Unanimous)

Local Planning Agency - Regular Meeting

The Local Planning Agency approved a variance for a carport encroachment at 203 Marshall Drive NE. A request for reduced setbacks and increased impervious surface area at 125 Rainbow Drive NW was denied after a tied vote.

• Approved 5-foot additional encroachment for carport at 203 Marshall Drive NE (4-0)
• Denied reduced setback and 60% impervious surface allowance at 125 Rainbow Drive NW (2-2)

City Council - Workshop

The City Council held a workshop to discuss the future of the fairgrounds property at 1958 Lewis Turner Boulevard. No formal decisions were made, as the session was for discussion purposes only. The Mayor announced the item will be placed on the next meeting agenda.

City Council - Special Meeting

City Council denied a motion to fund Phase II design and preconstruction for a new City Hall complex. Instead, Council approved a public workshop to discuss the site plan and directed staff to negotiate the purchase of the Lowery Place property from the Okaloosa School Board.

• Denied contract amendment for Phase II Design/Preconstruction of new City Hall Complex (2-4)
• Approved directing staff to hold a public workshop on City Hall site plan and research (Unanimous)
• Approved directing staff to negotiate purchase specifics of Lowery Place property with Okaloosa School Board (4-3)

City Council - Regular Meeting

The City Council appointed Jeff Peters as Acting City Manager for an initial 90-day term and authorized the use of an executive recruiting firm to find a permanent replacement. The council also approved a smoking ban in city parks and beaches and authorized several infrastructure and maintenance contracts.

• Approved employment agreement for Jeff Peters as Acting City Manager (5-1)
• Authorized use of an executive recruiting firm for City Manager search (5-1)
• Adopted Ordinance 2109 prohibiting smoking in city-owned parks and beaches (5-1)
• Approved $125,000 from Workforce Housing Incentive Fund to Gregg Chapel (5-1)
• Awarded $94,875 cemetery burial services contract to Gulf Coast Wilbert, Inc. (5-1)
• Adopted Resolution 2022-23 to amend FY 2021-22 Budget (Unanimous)
• Adopted Resolution 2022-24 creating Charter Officer complaint procedures (Unanimous)
• Approved short-term UPS employee parking lease at 203 Hollywood Blvd NW (Unanimous)