HomeMy Public PortalAbout01092023 CC Regular Meeting MinutesCity Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 9, 2023
6:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
1. Call to Order
The Regular Meeting of the Crestview City Council was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by
Mayor JB Whitten. Board members present: Mayor Pro-Tem Andrew Rencich, Council
members: Doug Capps, Cynthia Brown, Joe Blocker, and Ryan Bullard. Also present:
City Manager Tim Bolduc, City Clerk Maryanne Schrader, City Attorney Jonathan
Holloway, and various staff members.
2. Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance
2.1. Pastor Brian Walton of Community of Christ Church
The Invocation was led by Pastor Brian Walton of Community of Christ Church,
followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by a scout representing Pack 535.
3. Open Policy Making and Legislative Session
Mayor JB Whitten reviewed the rules of procedure.
4. Approve Agenda
Mayor JB Whitten called for action.
Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Andrew Rencich and seconded by Councilmember Joe
Blocker to approve the agenda, as presented.
Roll Call: Ayes: Joe Blocker, Cynthia Brown, Andrew Rencich, Douglas Capps, Ryan
Bullard. All ayes. Motion carried.
5. Presentations and Reports
No items were presented.
6. Consent Agenda
Mayor JB Whitten called for action.
Motion by Councilmember Joe Blocker and seconded by Councilmember Douglas Capps
to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented.
Roll Call: Ayes: Joe Blocker, Cynthia Brown, Andrew Rencich, Douglas Capps, Ryan
Bullard. All ayes. Motion carried.
6.1. Task Order 2022-2 Arena Road Water Tank Design
6.2 FP&L Roadway Illumination Agreement
6.3. Memorandum of Understanding — Arbours at Crestview
6.5. Approval of the Referee Contract
6.6. Approval of the December 12, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes
7. Public Hearings / Ordinances on Second Reading
None scheduled.
8. Ordinances on First Reading
8.1. Ordinance 1915 - Amending Chapter 6 of the Land Development Code
Senior Planner Nicholas Schwendt presented Ordinance 1915 to the City Council
stating the intent was to amend various sections of Chapter 6 of the LDC. He
explained that the change largely pertains to commercial developments and setbacks.
He explained the amendment revised building height compatibility requirements to
be more easily measurable and applicable in Section 6.00.03. Additionally, the
compatibility buffer requirement was changed to be measured from the structure
itself rather than the property line.
For Sections 6.02.04 and 6.02.05, the items were moved under a newly created
Section 6.04.00, which was created to specifically contain the overlay district
standards, as they were previously under the Mixed -Use section. In Section 6.03.01
amendments were made setback requirements for commercial zones and landscape
buffer.
The new Section 6.04.01, which includes development standards for the Downtown
Overlay District (DOD), was amended to remove a required 5' setback from any alley
within the DOD, as staff determined that almost every alley within the overlay
district has at least one building that violated this setback.
Senior Planner Nicholas Schwendt then asked the City Clerk to read the ordinance.
City Clerk Maryanne Schrader read the Ordinance by Title: An Ordinance
Amending Chapter 6 — Development Standards, of the City Of Crestview Land
Development Code; Providing For Severability; Providing For Scrivener's Errors;
Providing For Liberal Interpretation; Providing For Repeal Of Conflicting Codes
And Ordinances; And Providing For An Effective Date.
Mayor JB Whitten asked for comment from the Council and the public. Hearing
none, Mayor JB Whitten called for action.
Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Andrew Rencich and seconded by Councilmember
Cynthia Brown to approve Ordinance 1915 on First Reading and move to Second
Reading.
Roll Call: Ayes: Joe Blocker, Cynthia Brown, Andrew Rencich, Douglas Capps,
Ryan Bullard. All ayes. Motion carried.
8.2. Ordinance 1916 - Code Enforcement Mitigation
Police Chief Stephen McCosker presented Ordinance 1916 to the City Council for
first reading. He went over the process for locating the property owner to obtain
voluntary compliance. He went over Code enforcement efforts by his staff to get the
property into compliance, as well as the Hearing process before the Special
Magistrate. He reviewed the process of fines that accumulate on the property that are
non -compliant, and the mitigation methods.
City Manager Tim Bolduc said we have been consistent, but we want to codify the
consistency. The final amount is based on the Just Market Value. The monies are set
aside to assist in the clean-up. The funds may be used to pay tipping fees. This is
another resource to gain compliance.
Police Chief Stephen McCosker asked the City Clerk to read the ordinance.
City Clerk Maryanne Schrader read the Ordinance by Title: An Ordinance Amending
Chapter 2, Article III., Division 5. — Code Enforcement Special Magistrate, of the
City of Crestview Code of Ordinances; Providing For Authority; Providing For
Filing of This Ordinance With the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Okaloosa County;
Providing For Severability; Providing For Scrivener's Errors; Providing For Liberal
Interpretation; Providing For Repeal of Conflicting Codes and Ordinances; and
Providing For an Effective Date.
Mayor JB Whitten called for comment from the Council and from the public. In
hearing none, Mayor JB Whitten called for action.
Motion by Councilmember Ryan Bullard and seconded by Councilmember Joe
Blocker to approve Ordinance 1916 on First Reading and move to Second Reading
for adoption.
Roll Call: Ayes: Joe Blocker, Cynthia Brown, Andrew Rencich, Douglas Capps,
Ryan Bullard. All ayes. Motion carried.
9. Resolutions
9.1. A Resolution of support for the FLC Legislative Platform
City Manager Tim Bolduc presented the Resolution to the City Council for our
support of the Florida League of Cities specific legislative platforms. He went over
the list of priorities supporting Home Rule, a clear mobility plan, legislation that
restores authority to local government regarding short-term rentals, supporting
legislation requiring monies from Sadowski fund to be used for the Affordable
Housing Trust Fund, supporting statewide water source investments and authorizing
Watershed Management to qualify for funding.
City Manager Tim Bolduc asked the City Clerk to read the Resolution.
City Clerk Maryanne Schrader read the Resolution by title: A Resolution of the City
of Crestview, Urging Members of the Florida Legislature to Support the 2023 Florida
League of Cities Legislative Platform.
Mayor JB Whitten called for comment from the Council and the public. In hearing
none, Mayor JB Whitten called for action.
Motion by Councilmember Cynthia Brown and seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem
Andrew Rencich to approve a Resolution of support for the FLC Legislative
Platform.
Roll Call: Ayes: Joe Blocker, Cynthia Brown, Andrew Rencich, Douglas Capps,
Ryan Bullard. All ayes. Motion carried.
10. Action Items
10.1. Authorization to Proceed with the foreclosures of Code Compliance Liens
City Manager T. Bolduc went over the three properties that are owned by the same
investment company. Out of the ten that were originally on the list, the following
properties remain noncompliant as of the date of the staff report, and authorization is
sought to initiate foreclosure proceedings: 149 Booker North: 360 DA Investments
Corp.; 407 Woodruff West: 360 DA Investments Corp.; and 110 Booker North: 360
DA Investments Corp.
Councilmember R. Bullard mentioned that 407 Woodruff has been brought into
compliance. Regarding 149 and 110 Booker, the properties have not been brought
into compliance and have significant fines. He added he is against lien foreclosures
when the properties are brought into compliance. As 407 is in compliance, he could
support the other two for foreclosure.
For clarification, Joe Blocker asked if the ownership can change when the lien is on
the property, and City Manager T. Bolduc replied that the lien goes with the property.
Discussion ensued regarding the staff having done due diligence, and the staff
working with the owners.
Councilmember D. Capps stated $148,000 in fines have accrued on the properties,
and Mayor Pro-Tem A. Rencich said the property value is only $4,000.
City Manager T. Bolduc added the investor has been unresponsive to our contact.
Police Chief S. McCosker said the neighbors have to contend with the rats on the
property.
Mayor JB Whitten called for comment from the public. He then called for action.
Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Andrew Rencich and seconded by Councilmember
Cynthia Brown to approve staffs recommendation to foreclose on the properties.
Roll Call: Ayes: Joe Blocker, Cynthia Brown, Andrew Rencich, Douglas Capps.
Nays: Ryan Bullard. Vote: 4-1. Motion carried.
10.2. House and Senate 2023-24 Local Funding Initiative Request Forms
City Manager T. Bolduc said the City is requesting funding for four upcoming
projects in fiscal year 2023-2024. The four projects provided are as follows:
Benjamin Street Septic to Sewer in the amount of $600,000, Septage Receiving
Station in the amount of $600,000, with both projects being split with the County;
Septic to Sewer of Foxwood Estates, in the amount of $890,000 and Vineyard
Village Low Income Housing for a request of $756,000.
Mayor JB Whitten called for comment from the Council and the public. In hearing
none, he called for action.
Motion by Councilmember Joe Blocker and seconded by Councilmember Cynthia
Brown to accept the ranking for the FY 2023-2024.
Roll Call: Ayes: Joe Blocker, Cynthia Brown, Andrew Rencich, Douglas Capps,
Ryan Bullard. Nays: None. All ayes. Motion carried.
City Manager T. Bolduc mentioned a meeting will be held on Wednesday night and
Representative Pat Maney will discuss the consideration of the bill regarding paying
the ad valorem for the fire district even after an annexation, which would cause
double taxing. He said it does not impact Crestview currently but may in the future.
In response to Councilmember Joe Blocker on feedback regarding the Council
Chambers renovation, City Manager T. Bolduc will provide feedback from the
architect.
11. City Clerk Report
11.1. Update for January 2023
City Clerk M. Schrader mentioned some highlights from the staff report. She
mentioned staff is proceeding to release the next supplement while the codification
upgrade is being reviewed. We received 64 new requests in the November through
December 30 time frame averaging two days to fulfill the requests. She also
mentioned that she has completed the Records Management Policy, which is in
departmental review. Training is on -going for both Next Request and Laserfiche. and
Natasha is attending a Grants and Resources Training to be held in Ft. Walton Beach.
She also mentioned that the Florida Legislative Days are scheduled for April 3 - 5th.
12. City Manager Report
City Manager T. Bolduc requested suggestion for a name for the East/West connector
stating Hospital Drive East/West Connector is an option.
He mentioned a meeting with Sheila Fitzpatrick regarding participating with a county -wide
Affordable Housing strategic plan. The County is in the RFP process currently. He
suggested a $5,000 contribution, as it will provide a cost -benefit analysis to the city. This
study will give our county true numbers and address local properties.
Discussion ensued and the Council supported participation and the $5,000 contribution.
Councilmember Joe Blocker requested information on plans for the city. City Manager T.
Bolduc said we have not started to acquire property, as we need to prioritize projects in the
Strategic Plan. He added he will send the names of the architects for the remodeling of the
Chambers.
In response to Mayor Pro-Tem A. Rencich regarding CSX plans, City Manager T. Bolduc
replied he will find out what their intentions are for the Amtrak expansion.
13. Comments from the Mayor and Council
13.1. Recommendation to schedule cleaning of city streets by street sweeping, pressure
washing sidewalks, and weed control on sidewalks and curbs
Mayor JB Whitten asked that Councilmember Bullard speak first since he has an item on
the agenda.
Councilmember R. Bullard recommended that the city schedule street cleaning, pressure
washing and weed control on sidewalks and curbs.
Discussion ensued, and City Manager T. Bolduc stated the intent is to keep the streets
clean utilizing a cost-effective method, as well as the, Council prioritizing which area needs
the most attention.
Councilmember R. Bullard mentioned Main Street Redstone near Publix are areas that
need to be addressed.
Mayor JB Whitten said business owners on Main Street have done pressure washing. He
agreed with clean-up efforts but mentioned we do not have the manpower, and we no
longer have the inmates from the County.
City Manager T. Bolduc said we do street sweeping 25 days out of the month. If we want
to pick specific areas, we can review it with the Strategic Plan.
Mayor Whitten said two years ago, we had a city-wide clean-up, but it was costly.
City Manager T. Bolduc added there was a $20,000 tipping fee for the cleanup.
Councilmember R. Bullard agreed that the cleanup needed to be specific and to prioritize
areas. He was concerned about a sidewalk on Main Street that was not safe.
Discussion ensued on asking assistance from groups, but City Manager T. Bolduc said the
majority of the areas are under contract at certain intersections. He has also done an
"Adopt a Corner", but interest wanes over time.
Chief McCosker and the police department was thanked in recognition of it being National
Law Enforcement day. Councilmember Joe Blocker said we cannot do without having the
police department.
Councilmember Joe Blocker requested the city manager to check out the roof warranty on
the Main Street building.
Mayor JB Whitten announced the city will conduct the MLK March this Saturday on Main
Street. He also announced the Opioid Summit is scheduled for January 18th and invited
everyone to attend.
14. Comments from the Audience
Mayor JB Whitten asked the public if there were any comments.
Mr. Juston Grant, Jr, stated he is a regular patron of the library. He was concerned about
the magazine area being completely gone and was told the library only offers digital
versions. He asked if it was cost-effective to the city. City Manager T. Bolduc asked him
to provide his contact information, and he would get back to him.
Shannon Hayes came forward to address the Council announcing that on January 15th, a
program will be held at Carver Hill Center on School Avenue at 3:00 p.m. with Dr. Brown
as the speaker. He also applauded the calendar of events that the mayor recently released.
15. Adjournment
Mayor JB Whitten adjourned the meeting at 7:12 p.m.
Minutes approved this 23rd day of January, 2023.
Mary. ne . cl : der, City Clerk
Proper Nott - having been duly given