HomeMy Public PortalAbout04082024 City Council Regular Meeting MinutesCity Council Minutes
April 8, 2024
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 Girard, City Attorney Jonathan
Holloway, and various staff members.
2. Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance
2.1. Pastor Alex Chatman of Pillar Church
The Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance was led by Pastor Alex Chatman of Pillar
Church.
3. Open Policy Making and Legislative Session
Mayor JB Whitten declared a quorum was present and went over the rules and procedures.
4. Approve Agenda
Mayor JB Whitten called for action.
Motion by Councilmember Joe Blocker and seconded by Mayor Pro -Tern Andrew
Rencich to approve the agenda, as presented.
Roll Ca11: Ayes: Joe Blocker, Cynthia Brown, Andrew Rencich, Doug Capps, Ryan
Bullard. All ayes. Motion carried.
5. Presentations and Reports
5.1. First Responder Recognition
Mayor JB Whitten asked Fire Battalion Chief Mason forward and presented a life-
saving award to the fire depar lnient. Lindsay Garrett and crew; Lt. Lewis and
Firefighters Lau, Day, and Scott came forward.
Mayor JB Whitten explained on March l7th, 2024 at approximately 1:30 a.m., Lt.
Lewis and Firefighters Lau, Day, and Scott were dispatched to Oakdale Avene where
they assisted in the delivery of a healthy baby girl. This is the first delivery the fire
department has assisted with in over five years.
5.2. Proclamation declaring National Library Week April 7- 13, 2024
Councilmember Cyndie Brown read the proclamation declaring the week of April 7 -
13, 2024 as National Library Week. Librarian, Jean McCarthy, and staff came
forward to accept the proclamation.
5.3. Proclamation declaring Telecommunications Week April 14- 20, 2024
Mayor Pro-Tem Andrew Rencich presented a proclamation to dispatch, declaring
April 14-20, 2024 as Telecommunications Week. Lindsay Garrett accepted the
proclamation.
5.4. Proclamation declaring Animal Control Week April 14-20, 2024
Councilmember R. Bullard presented a proclamation to the Animal Control
department declaring April 14-20, 2024 as National Animal Control Week.
5.5. NW Crestview Bypass Brief
Jason Autry, Public Works Director, briefed the Mayor and the City Council on the
northwest Crestview Bypass project. They hope to complete the southwest portion by
the end of the summer.
John Wimberly, HDR, went over the ACER study, the steps and time frame of the
alternative corridor project. He also reviewed the conceptual plans for Alternative 7.
He mentioned the estimated cost of the project is $142 million dollars.
Scott Bitterman, Okaloosa County Engineer, came forward to go over the action
plans. He requested a motion to adopt the plan that the County approved, adding he
has worked with the city planners, so both the city and county have the same plan.
Discussion ensued on how we can project the need for planning purposes and
developing standards.
City Manager T. Bolduc said he has worked with the county and is in favor of the
plan. Jason Autry added the city manager communicates with the county stating the
plan gives us a guide.
Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Andrew Rencich and seconded by Councilmember
Doug Capps to adopt the northwest alignment ACER study, create a Crestview
Bypass Overlay District, and approve the staff to work with the county to adopt a
similar plan.
Roll Call: Ayes: Joe Blocker, Cynthia Brown, Andrew Rencich, Doug Capps, Ryan
Bullard. All ayes. Motion carried.
6. Consent Agenda
Mayor JB Whitten called for action.
Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Andrew Rencich and seconded by Councilmember Cynthia
Brown to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented.
Roll Call: Ayes: Joe Blocker, Cynthia Brown, Andrew Rencich, Doug Capps, Ryan
Bullard. All ayes. Motion carried.
6.1. Emergency Repair - Well 9
6.2. Approval of City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of March 25, 2024
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7. Public Hearings / Ordinances on Second Reading
7.1. Ordinance 1966 - Smoking in Twin Hills Park
CDS Planning Administrator Nicholas Schwendt presented Ordinance 1966,
Smoking in Twin Hills Park to the City Council and asked the City Clerk to read the
ordinance.
City Clerk Maryanne Girard read the Ordinance by Title: An Ordinance of the City
of Crestview, Florida, Providing For Authority; Providing For Amending Chapter 58
of the Code of Ordinances to Prohibit Smoking Within Twin Hills Park as
Authorized by Chapter 386.209 of the Florida Statutes; 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 All Ordinances or Parts of Ordinances In Conflict Herewith;
and Providing For An Effective Date.
Mayor JB Whitten called for comment from the Council.
Motion by Mayor Pro-Tem A. Rencich to add a minor change to the no -smoking
restriction adding if it is connected to the dog area, there would be no prohibition.
The restrictions would cover all playing fields and all youth play areas and
equipment. The motion died for lack of a second.
Mayor JB Whitten called for comment from the public. In hearing none, he called for
action.
Motion by Councilmember R. Bullard and seconded by Councilmember C. Brown to
approve Ordinance 1966 on 2nd reading for final adoption.
8. Ordinances on First Reading
8.1. Ordinance 1967 Comprehensive Fee Schedule Amendment (Parks & Recreation)
Senior Planner N. Schwent presented Ordinance 1967, Comprehensive Fee Schedule
Amendment on First Reading stating inconsistencies were cleared up and
modifications of recreation fees were added. He then asked the City Clerk to read the
ordinance.
City Clerk Maryanne Girard read the Ordinance by Title: An Ordinance of the City
of Crestview, Florida, Providing For An Amendment Updating The Parks and
Recreation Section of the Comprehensive Fee Schedule; Providing For Filing of This
Ordinance With the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Okaloosa County; Providing For
Authority; 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.
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Mayor JB Whitten called for comment from the Council.
Discussion ensued on reducing the youth sport registration fee.
Parks and Recreation Director Brady Peters explained that the new software does not
allow for a discount to be applied, so a straight fee solution was done in order to
allow for an efficient way for parents to register on-line.
City Manager T. Bolduc said we acquired the software to create efficiencies, as the
intent was to simplify the process.
Discussion ensued on the $60 fee per child, the difficulty of policing the reduction of
fees manually, fees based on family size to ease burden on the family, dissatisfaction
with the condition of our fields, utilizing the fees to pay for all the necessary items
that help make our children play with the current fee structure, the need to raise fees
even with sponsorship, and fees in the surrounding area.
Mayor JB Whitten called for comment from the public. In hearing none, he called
for action.
Motion was made by Mayor Pro-Tem Andrew Rencich and seconded by
Councilmember Doug Capps to approve Ordinance 1967 on 1st reading and move to
second reading for final adoption.
Roll Call: Ayes: Joe Blocker, Cynthia Brown, Andrew Rencich, Doug Capps, Ryan
Bullard. All ayes. Motion carried.
9. Resolutions — Nothing brought forward.
10. Action Items
10.1. Barge - Sewer System Hydraulic Modeling, Phase 2 Task Order
City Manager T. Bolduc explained this is for Phase 2 of the hydraulic modeling
design. This will create a model that shows us the amount needed for the
development. He added the funds are available in our sewer fund.
Discussion ensued on completion date, the applicability of budgeting for all four
phases, and whether this phase was budgeted.
City Manager T. Bolduc replied it is not budgeted, but we do have impact fees that
were not allocated. All four phases cannot be completed at once, as we do not have
the funding. It will take about 220 days to complete the project for a total of
$800,000.
Mayor JB Whitten added this a positive effect from the sewer fees.
Mayor JB Whitten called for action.
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Motion by Councilmember Ryan Bullard and seconded by Councilmember Andrew
Rencich to approve the task order for Phase 2 of the Barge Design hydraulic
modeling design project in the amount of $427,000.
Roll Call: Ayes: Joe Blocker, Cynthia Brown, Andrew Rencich, Doug Capps, Ryan
Bullard. All ayes. Motion carried.
10.2. Appointment of Mayor Pro-Tempore
Mayor JB Whitten mentioned our current Charter states the Mayor Pro-Tem is
selected in April. He mentioned we will work on a referendum to change the
requirement from April to November to coincide with the November election. He
then called for action.
Motion by Councilmember R. Bullard and seconded by Councilmember C. Brown to
appoint Doug Capps as Mayor Pro-Tempore.
Roll Call: Ayes: Joe Blocker, Cynthia Brown, Andrew Rencich, Doug Capps, Ryan
Bullard. All ayes. Motion carried.
10.3. Adoption of Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Recommendations
Senior Planner N. Schwendt explained the SHIP program. One of the questions that
was received was on affordability. He explained the statute starts with the income of
the individual. The SHIP program provides guidelines, and the Affordable Housing
Advisory Committee reviews the guidelines.
He added this is for a three-year period based on monies received. They looked at
return on investment by adopting recommendations for the City to implement the
provisions of certain strategies via amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Land
Development Code. We will look at adoption of density bonus standards and look at
code changes by the adoption of expedited review of development orders and permits
for affordable housing developments including a general time frame for the
completion of each recommended action.
Motion by Councilmember R. Bullard and seconded by Councilmember D. Capps
to adopt the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee recommendations.
Roll Call: Ayes: Joe Blocker, Cynthia Brown, Andrew Rencich, Doug Capps, Ryan
Bullard. All ayes. Motion carried.
11. City Clerk Report
11.1. Monthly Update
City Clerk Maryanne Girard stated the statistical report is included in the staff
summary.
12. City Manager Report
12.1. Strategic Plan Quarterly Review
Administrative Director Jessica Leavins went over the quarterly review of the
Strategic Plan, as well as the update of the Fire department's Strategic Plan. She
mentioned several projects coming up as well as the goals from this past quarter.
City Manager T. Bolduc said Brady and he are working on recreation sports plans
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and researching where we are with other areas. Brady is also improving the fields. He
added we have set the budget policy special meeting for May 1st. We will go over
the budget policy, and reorganization options.
13. Comments from the Mayor and Council
Mayor JB Whitten called for comment from the Council.
Councilmember C. Brown congratulated Jessica on the 95% retention rate. She added she
would like to see a program to assist kids that cannot afford the recreation fees. City
Manager T. Bolduc said the Council could establish a fund and suggested a grant program,
adding we want our recreation programs for all kids.
Councilmember J. Blocker requested an update on the funding from a project to purchase a
box car for a museum, which was a grant in the 1980's timeframe. City Manager T. Bolduc
said the City Clerk could research the allocation adding typically grant money is given
once the money is spent.
Mayor Pro- Tem A. Rencich announced we hosted educators and youth with Career
Source and One Okaloosa regarding jobs in the city. They traveled to other areas in the
city, as well. Also, he is hosting a Town Hall on May 14th at 6 p.m. at the Community
Center and the discussion will focus on growth and a Q & A session.
Mayor JB Whitten mentioned the Ribbon Cutting for Texas Roadhouse is scheduled on
May 3rd at noon, so he will need the names of the Council who plan to attend. He
mentioned that on April 20th, a car show, dog competition, and a date night is planned.
City Manager T. Bolduc announced the train project was through the CRA. However,
when the funds came in it was too costly to purchase the train, so the money was
reallocated for several other improvements.
14. Comments from the Audience
Mayor JB Whitten called for comment from the public.
Shannon Hayes reminded the Council that the Florida League of Cities has an Official of
the Year award coming up.
Pastor Parker stated the Resource Center ribbon cutting is scheduled at 798 Martin Luther
King on April 30th at 11:30 a.m. and invited all to attend.
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15. Adjournment
Mayor JB Whitten adjourned the meeting at 7:44 p.m.
Minutes approved this 22nd day of April 2024.
e./
ary me Girar
City Clerk
Proper Notice having been duly given
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