CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Thomas called the meeting to order at 12:04 p.m. at Two Trees Restaurant in Fort Walton Beach.

PRESENT

Councilman Dutch Payne - 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

Commissioner Heyward Strong - Valparaiso

County Commissioner Elaine Tucker - Okaloosa County

ALSO PRESENT

Tina Smith, Deputy Town Clerk - Shalimar

NOT PRESENT

Mayor Gary Combs - Shalimar

MINUTES

Councilwoman Bush moved to approve the minutes from the June 2, 2003 Executive Board Meeting as written. Commissioner Strong seconded the motion. When asked if there was any discussion, Commissioner Strong asked how the Republican Club meeting (mentioned at the last meeting) went. Mayor Thomas briefed the Executive Board that the scheduled question and answer period with Ray Sansom and Charlie Clary never happened because Ken Walsh, who works on the programs for the Republican Club Meeting, had a problem getting Representative Sansom and Senator Clary together. The motion to approve the minutes carried unanimously.

Commissioner Strong stated that the Minutes from April 7, 2003 incorrectly state the description of HB133. It should be referenced only as a redefinition of extra benefits.

TREASURER'S REPORT

Mayor Glover gave the Treasurer’s Report as follows: The current balance is $2,740.99. Activity during the last month includes a payment to Two Trees for meals.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

HB133 Update – Mayor Thomas reported that he talked to Ray Sansom who said that HB133 passed. Commissioner Strong said that he hadn’t heard that news. Neither had anyone else in the room. Commissioner Strong will find out what’s going on.

Mayor Barker briefed that when his City was contemplating the interlocal agreement to split up the gas tax, he discussed municipal transportation improvements with County Commissioner Jackie Burkett. Mayor Barker asked why Okaloosa County didn’t help municipalities with their road improvements. Commissioner Burkett retorted that no other county in the state does this for its municipalities. Mayor Barker then went to Commissioner Strong and asked if he could research the League of Cities and find any situations where any of the municipalities has a similar agreement with its county. Commissioner Strong had a 25 page report faxed to him showing all of the city/county agreements. Shalimar’s Deputy Clerk will take this fax and get copies to all of the cities. Mayor Barker will also share this fax with Commissioner Burkett.

Mayor Glenda Glover attended a meeting with Nelson Gibbs (Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations & Environment) and was approached by Eglin Encroachment Committee Chairman Bob Arnold. She explained that their conversation centered on encroachment issues simply because this area has 31 requests (4 major) for different pieces of Eglin land for different projects. Eglin A.F.B. makes up most of the local economy and Mayor Glover feels that the encroachment requests will be held against this area. There is no immediate threat but it could possibly be a future threat. There are other military installations that are asking for the testing that is done at Eglin A.F.B. and they are installations that have community cooperation. County Commissioner Elaine Tucker explained that at the last Economic Development Council (EDC) Meeting they discussed this issue at length. Commissioner Tucker suggested that someone speak on this issue at the next League of Cities’ Quarterly Dinner in September. Everyone on the Board agreed that this would be an educational lecture and a good idea. Mayor Glover suggested proclamations, letters, etc. to show that this area of Florida is a united front. It was also suggested that the cities get their views out to the newspapers. Mayor Glover asked her City Manager, Reid Silverboard, what he thought could be done about this issue. Mr. Silverboard suggested that Mayor Glover ask for help from the Senior Professional board. She then asked the Executive Board if she could invite Mr. Gay, who is on the Senior Professional Board, to the quarterly dinner meeting. The Board thought he would be a great guest. It was then suggested that we invite Ralph Routon (from the paper) and Dan McFall (from Congressman Jeff Miller’s office). Commissioner Tucker was asked to talk with Mayor Combs regarding the dinner speaker.

Mayor Glover stated that Gannett Co., Inc. (the current owners of the Pensacola News Journal) will be purchasing Freedom newspapers. She believes that this purchase will lean the paper from Libertarian to Liberal and that our cities need to get their views to the paper before their articles lean readers a different way.

After the League of Cities Dinners was brought up, Commissioner Tucker asked if she is invited to them because she hadn’t received an invitation to the last 2 dinners. Mayor Glover said that she was definitely invited to all of the dinner meetings. Mayor Thomas stated that the host city should always send invitations to the County Representative .

Councilman Swihart asked that, in the future, everyone get their Dinner Meeting RSVPs in on time. He stated that they were having trouble getting the information and that there was even one city that didn’t get theirs in until the very last minute. He also asked if these dinner meetings were supposed to be business meetings. It was discussed briefly and decided that, only when necessary, there would be a meeting before the dinner. It was also decided that the speaker or activity be something that all cities would be interested in and possibly learn from.

Councilman Dutch Payne asked if anyone was interested in designing a logo for the OCLOC for shirts, pins, etc. Everyone thought that was a great idea. Mayor Thomas suggested that local school art classes be asked to create a logo as a contest and there should be a committee. Mayor Glover nominated Mayor Thomas to be on this committee. Councilman Payne seconded the nomination. Then Mayor Glover nominated Councilman Payne to be on the committee. Councilwoman Miller added that she would like to see a logo that incorporated something that would represent each of the 9 cities and interaction with the League. With that, Councilman Swihart moved that Fay Miller be on the committee and Councilman Payne seconded the motion. Councilman Payne stated that, with the local bases being such a big part of our County, there should be something in the logo that suggested airpower. Mayor Barker moved that the Executive Board table this issue until the next meeting and everyone should go to their respective Commissions/Councils and bring ideas to the next Executive Board Meeting. Councilman Swihart seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Commissioner Strong suggested having the Okaloosa County League of Cities invite the Northwest Florida League of Cities Board of Directors to participate in all of the dinners that fall in September. The two Board of Directors should meet at 5:00 p.m. before the dinner. Also this provides an opportunity to get inputs from non-voting members that normally can’t make the meetings. After Commissioner Strong explained his idea, he moved that every year at the September Okaloosa County League of Cities (OCLOC) Dinner Meeting, the Northwest Florida League of Cities Board of Directors be invited to meet with the OCLOC Board of Directors at 5:00 p.m. That the Northwest Florida League of Cities Board of Directors' attendees' fees be split between all of the (OCLOC) cities and the attendees that are not members will be billed to the Northwest Florida League of Cities. Mayor Barker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Barker reported that the City of Destin hosted a meeting to discuss clean water issues. They addressed the free pump-out service which is part of a state program. If Okaloosa County enters into an agreement with The State of Florida a fee will be added to all of the boat registrations to help pay for the free pump-out service. Both Fort Walton Beach and Destin have passed support resolutions. Hopefully all of the other cities will follow suit. Fort Walton Beach has already mailed copies of the approved resolution to all of the cities and Santa Rosa County and Escambia County .

ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS FROM CITIES

Cinco Bayou – Councilman Payne reported that the main thing going on in their town is budget matters. Cinco Bayou has also erected a Verizon tower in a temporary location which has the adjacent property owner upset because he claims that it has lowered his property value. It will be moved and somehow camouflaged. They have finally settled their Municipal Insurance Situation. Councilman Payne commended Mayor Glover on their wonderful fireworks display. Mayor Thomas asked if they were having any problems with their new boat launch fee. Councilman Payne answered that they are not having problems with it and it has made more money than they had planned on.

Crestview – Councilwoman Bush reported that they have hired a new Police Chief, Travis Gillihan, who has been with them since 1 July. They are also working on their budget. The Supervisor of Elections, Pat Hollarn attended Crestview’s last Council Meeting and briefed them on the cost of the single member voting district. She recommended that their council not do anything at this time. The state Veterans Nursing Home needs the cities’ support. Please write letters and Councilwoman Bush will bring badges for everyone on the Executive Board. The Growth Rate continues to escalate.

Destin – Mayor Barker briefed that The City of Destin has passed their CRA for the Harbor Area. County Commissioner Jackie Burkett worded the resolution so that Destin would issue a rebate back to the County. Destin accepted the resolution. This rebate is based on the existing value. Mayor Barker added that this interlocal agreement was written so that it will not affect any future CRA applications made by other cities. They didn’t want this agreement to set a precedence. Tropical Storm Bill left Destin with substantial beach loss and local flooding. Also, a sinkhole from July 3 of last year opened back up this July 3. They have fixed it temporarily and will fix it correctly after the busy season.

Fort Walton Beach – Mayor Glover reported that the city hired their new attorney.

Their council has voted to keep the same millage rate – 4.97 mills – she doesn’t expect that they’ll be able to reduce it this year.

The Fire Department completion is set for the end of the month.

They held an excellent Kid’s Day in June with about 2200 kids and are planning another for July.

Their first “Walk to the Park” movie was a week ago. It was very successful (approximately 300 people attended).

The 4^th of July was wonderful.

Laurel Hill – Councilwoman Miller asked the board what their cities were doing about insurance for their property. Some of the cities require anyone that reserves facilities to have their own insurance. Others have regular insurance.

They are back to square one on their Animal Control issue.

They have decided to contract out their garbage service.

Also, they are working on a CDBG grant to fix up some houses.

Mary Esther – Mayor Thomas stated that they have Budget Meetings on Tuesday and Thursday. They are also still waiting to hear about their library extension grant.

Niceville – Councilman Swihart briefed that Niceville is still working on their street repairs. Councilwoman Bush added that their quarterly dinner/program was wonderful.

Shalimar – In Mayor Combs’ absence, Deputy Clerk, Tina Smith reported that the rain has put all the construction projects on hold.

Valparaiso – Commissioner Strong reported that the town has hired a new Chief of Police, Joe Hart. Also, the budget process is difficult when you aren’t raising taxes.

Okaloosa County – The Wave ridership is up. It now goes all over from Baytown to the mall. Commissioner Tucker will get information to any of the towns that are interested.

Commissioner Tucker also reported that, with all the rain we’ve gotten lately, make sure to get rid of all standing water.

The Board then discussed locating a point of contact for Eglin. The Executive Board will be discussing the BRAC issues so they feel it would be good to keep the bases in the loop. One name that was mentioned was Bill Thornton with Public Affairs. Commissioner Tucker feels that he is very involved with everything, he would be perfect.

Mayor Thomas asked, again, if everyone could be at the meetings at 11:30 so that they can have their food ordered and start the meeting on time.

NEXT MEETING

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Monday, August 4, 2003 at 12:00 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:48 p.m.