CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Thomas called the meeting to order at 12:06 p.m. at Two Trees Restaurant in Fort Walton Beach .

PRESENT

Mayor Norm Frucci - Cinco Bayou

Councilwoman Brenda Bush - Crestview

Mayor Craig Barker - Destin

Mayor Glenda Glover - Fort Walton Beach (Secretary/Treasurer)

Councilwoman Fay Miller - Laurel Hill

Mayor John Thomas - Mary Esther (President)

Councilman Al Swihart - Niceville

Mayor Gary Combs - Shalimar

Commissioner Heyward Strong - Valparaiso

County Commissioner Elaine Tucker - Okaloosa County

ALSO PRESENT

Tina Smith, Deputy Town Clerk - Shalimar

MINUTES

Mayor Glover moved to accept the April 7, 2003 Board of Directors’ minutes as written.  Mayor Combs seconded motion and it carried unanimously.

TREASURER'S REPORT

Mayor Glover gave the Treasurer’s Report as follows:  The balance as of 4/30/03 is $2,944.27.  Activity during the last month includes a payment to Two Trees for meals.

Councilwoman Bush moved to approve the Treasurer's Report as given.  Mayor Combs seconded motion and it carried unanimously.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Mayor Thomas referenced the letter that he sent to Ray Sansom and read aloud the response letter from Ray Sansom’s office regarding HB133.  Commissioner Strong stated that the Florida League of Cities knew that the issue might be misinterpreted.  He stated that he would have the Florida League of Cities put together a response letter explaining the law and forward it on to Mayor Thomas to send to Ray Sansom.

Mayor Thomas asked County Commissioner Elaine Tucker to explain the Parks and Recreation Department that the county is considering.  Commissioner Tucker explained that there is not a Parks and Recreation Department.  It currently falls under Public Works and there aren’t enough people in that department to handle the amount of parks and recreation facilities that are in the county.  They may call it the Leisure, Parks and Services Department and include the library co-op.

Commissioner Tucker stated that the Boating Improvement Issue is on the agenda for tomorrow’s County meeting.  Okaloosa County is establishing a new policy to ensure that any Boating Improvement Fund monies be utilized for projects relating to boat launching areas that either don’t charge a fee or charge an equal fee to all users.

The county has approved the new Library Cooperative interlocal agreement and it is now up to the cities to approve.  It is on the agenda for tonight’s Niceville and Mary Esther meetings.

NEW BUSINESS 

ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS FROM CITIES

Cinco Bayou – Mayor Frucci reported that Mayor Carroll has moved out of Cinco Bayou.  He, as Mayor Pro-Tem, has taken over her duties as the Mayor.  Mayor Frucci also informed the Executive Board that he voted nay on all past Boat Ramp issues.  The launch Fee took effect 1 May.

Crestview – Councilwoman Bush updated that last Saturday evening was the annual Old Spanish Trail Festival.  The Oncology Center , which is being built across from the Physicians medical plaza, is well under way.  All types of chemotherapy and radiation will be available here.

Destin – Mayor Barker briefed that a Water Quality Workshop will be held May 14 at 10:00 a.m. at Destin City Hall .  He also mentioned that their council hosted an employee appreciation party.

Fort Walton Beach – Mayor Glover stated that they had their staff picnic.  Fort Walton Beach held a Wastewater workshop which went well.

Laurel Hill – Councilwoman Miller iterated that their city is seriously looking at putting in a library.  They are looking for land and are working on the funding.

Mary Esther – Mayor Thomas briefed that Mary Esther has requested a $450,000 grant for a 4,000 foot extension of their library.  It looks like Mary Esther is #5 on the grant list.  The city is doing a “pigging” process in their pipes in certain sections of the city.  This process entails something going through the pipes to get rid of the rust, etc. inside the pipes.  Mayor Thomas and Mayor Glover were invited by the undersecretary of the Air Force to go to Washington D.C. to be there when Hurlburt Field accepted their award for the best installation in the Air Force.

Niceville – Councilman Swihart stated that his city is working with Okaloosa County on building onto North Palm Blvd.   The city is adding a new section to Turkey Creek Walkway that will extend into the marsh and allow people to go in and meditate, etc.  Their employee party was at the Pavilion in Turkey Creek Park .  The skateboard park is open and so busy they are already looking at how to expand it.  The Library co-op office is moving from Crestview to Niceville some time this month.  Next month is their city election.  Commissioner Strong notified Councilman Swihart that the speaker he had in mind for their League of Cities Dinner in June fell through.

Shalimar – Shalimar had nothing to report.

Valparaiso – Commissioner Strong reported that Valparaiso is still in the running for their CDBG Grant.

Okaloosa County – Commissioner Tucker reported:

Eglin Air Force Base – The representative for Eglin Air Force Base was not present

NEXT MEETING

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Monday, June 2, 2003 at 12:00 p.m. The next quarterly dinner meeting will be Thursday, June 19, 2003

ADJOURNMENT

Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:06 p.m.

Councilwoman Bush reminded everyone that the Annual Summer Dinner with the Northwest Florida League of Cities is May 30, 2003 .