CALL TO ORDER

President John Thomas called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. at Two Trees Restaurant in Fort Walton Beach .

PRESENT

Councilwoman Brenda Bush – Crestview

Mayor Craig Barker – Destin

Colonel Hendricks – Eglin A.F.B.

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

Captain Sims – Eglin A.F.B.

Tina Smith, Deputy Town Clerk – Shalimar

NOT PRESENT

Councilman Dutch Payne – Cinco Bayou

Mayor Gary Combs – Shalimar

MINUTES

Everyone briefly went over the minutes and Mayor Glover moved to accept the minutes as written.  Councilmember Miller seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Mayor Glover gave the Treasurer’s Report as follows:  The balance as of October 31, 2003 is $2,446.61.  One check has been written to Two Trees for lunches and Clerk Smith informed Mayor Glover that the bill for the flowers for Alva Campbell’s family had not yet been received.  The bill is approximately $50.00.

Councilmember Swihart asked if his city was being billed for his lunch even when he didn’t attend.  He was informed that the cities get charged one time per year for all of the lunches.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

OCLOC Logo – Col. Hendricks remarked that, if they wanted to represent things in Okaloosa County , the airplane in the logo could be either an F-15 or a special ops plane.  The airplane pictured is an F-16 which are not prevalent at Eglin.  Mayor Barker moved that the board go with the top logo choice but change the airplane.  Mayor Glover is afraid that the logo may be too busy for a small lapel pin.  Commissioner Tucker felt that it might be O.K. because the county logo has a lot of things on it and it is decipherable even on a small scale.  Mayor Glover believes that since Eglin A.F.B. is the foundation of this area, the bottom logo choice would be better.  Councilmember Miller likes the bottom logo with only one airplane on it.  Commissioner Strong would like the word “county” to be removed.  Mayor Thomas stated that the bottom logo was very similar to the NWFLC logo.  Commissioner Strong would like to see the bottom logo where NW Florida is twice as big as the state of Florida.  Councilmember Swihart moved that the board table the discussion and come back with another try.  Mayor Glover will work on the logo.  Commissioner Tucker suggested creating the image small and large to get an idea of what it will look like on a smaller scale.  Mayor Thomas stated that it would be alright to table the discussion since there’s no big hurry.  Mayor Barker stated that he would go with whatever the board was happy with.  Mayor Barker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  This issue will be discussed at the next meeting.  In the meantime everyone was directed to try to come up with another idea.

Clean Water Project – Mayor Barker explained to the new attendees what has been taking place on this subject for the last couple of months.  He also stated that the estimate given by the Tax Collector’s Office on Okaloosa County registered boats was drastically incorrect, which was a big starting point for their funding.  The group is looking for ways to significantly cut 75% of capital costs.  He stated that he had been talking to someone from Catalina Island in California who has implemented the free pump out service.  In order for someone to tie their boat up in this area of California, they have to agree to have a dye tab put in their holding tanks.  Because enforcement is one of the most difficult aspects, the dye tabs help catch someone that is illegally dumping.  The set up of this area of California is a little different than what we are looking at so our enforcement issues may be a little more difficult.  He will get a copy of the ordinance they used.  Mayor Barker said that they will bring a better understanding of this to the meeting next month.  Mayor Glover added that they also discussed a “Smokey the Bear”-type education for children in order to start informing them early.  Mayor Barker was contacted by The Emerald Coast Parrothead club (170 members strong) and they have pledged their full support.  Commissioner Tucker stated that they do a lot of fundraisers and have scholarships, etc.  Councilmember Miller stated that the cleanwater project has Laurel Hill’s full support.  Mayor Thomas stated that he will check with Hurlburt to see if they have a pump out station.     

Vote on new President, Vic e President, Secretary/Treasurer – Everyone on the board decided that the easiest way to vote on these is to just do it instead of writing the names down.  Commissioner Strong moved for Mayor Glover to be the President of the Okaloosa County League of Cities Executive Board starting January 1, 2004.  Councilmember Swihart seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  Mayor Barker moved for Councilmember Miller to be the Vice President of the Okaloosa County League of Cities Executive Board starting January 1, 2004.  Mayor Glover seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  Mayor Thomas moved for Councilmember Payne to be the Secretary/Treasurer of the Okaloosa County League of Cities Executive Board starting January 1, 2004.  Councilmember Bush seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Decision on changing date of Quarterly Dinners – Mayor Thomas moved to table this item until the next electors are in place.  Mayor Barker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Thomas started by thanking Col. Hendricks for attending.  Mayor Thomas also stated that he received a memo from the Florida League of Cities that HB 133 bill was reissued by Ray Sansom as HB 27B.  Commissioner Strong added that there is a new list of rules for volunteer fire departments.  He feels if these new rules pass then all voluntary fire departments will possibly be eradicated.  Mayor Thomas reported that he has been invited to an Okaloosa County Republican Executive Committee (OCREC) meeting to discuss concerns of the cities, the issues that the cities want to have taken up to Tallahassee.  Mayor Thomas has a list of what the cities have agreed on previously.  He has asked that they also forward an invitation to Mayor Glover.  Commissioner Strong asked that Mayor Thomas make sure to include the Volunteer Fire Department issue.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS FROM CITIES

Cinco Bayou – Councilmember Payne was not in attendance

Crestview – Last Saturday was the annual Fall Festival which the Main Street Director stated was a huge success.  (Councilmember Bush wasn’t able to attend). 

Over the past couple of months the City of Crestview has annexed in over 700 acres. 

There will be an informal FDOT Public Information Meeting on November 20 at Live Oak Baptist Church.  They will be discussing SR 85 and SR 123 projects which include milling and resurfacing, median closures, turn lane additions and ADA compliance for driveways and sidewalks.

Destin – Beach Renourishment continues to be one of the more hot topics for the City of Destin .  The city is expected to mail out easement agreements to property owners within the next 2 weeks.  Mayor Barker feels that the entire county will suffer if the Beach Renourishment doesn’t go through.  So far, everyone is behind the city on this issue except the property owners.

The City interviewed all weekend and will pick a City Manager from 5 finalists at a meeting tonight.

Last week was City Government week and The City of Destin, throughout one day, had approximately 500 people.  The Tuesday before that they invited 86 students from an 8^th grade History Class to a pizza lunch.  Mayor Barker is proud to announce that this will be in the next issue of “Quality Cities” Magazine.

Fort Walton Beach – There is a new City Manager, Joyce Shanahan, who has been with the City of Fort Walton Beach since 1997 as the Finance Director.

The grand opening ribbon will be cut on the new Fire Station on November 19.

Monday, December 1, 2003 is the Christmas Parade.  The focal point will be the military.  Many local and out of town military personnel have been invited to be a part of the parade.

December 6, 2003 is “Christmas on Main Street ” along with “Emerald Coast Taste”.  “Christmas on Main Street ” will have food, crafts, etc. along Ferry Road which will be closed and the lighting of the Christmas Tree will be at dark.

Laurel Hill – The City has decided to do their own code enforcement and have many people interested in becoming code enforcement officer.

They have received the loans for enlarging the City Hall.  They have the drawings and are almost ready to start the extension.

The City is inquiring about other water tank contractors.  They feel that the contractor that they are using to have the water tanks cleaned and maintained is becoming costly.  Commissioner Strong suggested calling the City of Valparaiso to get the name of the person they use.

Mary Esther – The proposed median closures are the big issue in Mary Esther.  The plans submitted to DOT included closing 17 medians.  They had a meeting with County Commissioner Paula Riggs and negotiated it down to 6 median closures but Mayor Thomas would like to see that number even lower.

The Mary Esther Veterans Day Parade is November 11 in conjunction with Armed Forces Appreciation Day.

Niceville – The City is still building streets.

Shalimar – Mayor Combs was not in attendance.

Valparaiso – The City met with Benny Jordon regarding their water tank and everything seems to be on schedule.  The December Okaloosa County League of Cities Quarterly Dinner will be on December 18, 2003 at the Eglin golf club.

Okaloosa County – Commissioner Tucker encouraged all cities going through the billboard fight.  Commissioner Tucker is behind these cities and will help in any way necessary as a group or with county support.  Mayor Thomas reported that Mary Esther paid in the area of $75,000 for lawyers’ fees and the case was thrown out of court.  Niceville found it would be a losing battle years ago unless they paid thousands and thousands of dollars.  Commissioner Tucker commended the cities for standing up to the billboard companies. 

-  Tomorrow is a Beach Information workshop at 2:00 at the Water and Sewer Building

-  The Emerald Coast Bridge Authority is having a meeting at 5:00 on November 13 at the Conference Center .  This 2 hour meeting will address such topics as where they stand and what the conceptual plans are going to be.

-  The Florida Department of Transportation is having a brief on November 7 at 10:00 at the Niceville Community Center .  They will discuss what they see as the projects for the next 4 years based on TPO past, present and future.

Mayor Barker added that there was already a Beach Information Workshop where Commissioner Tucker supported the idea of fining offenders of swimming in red flag conditions.  He informed the board that, after researching the issue, he totally supports the idea.  Commissioner Tucker wanted to add that it is not the lifeguards giving the tickets, which is what the Destin Log quoted.  They will call an enforcing agent to come out. 

Eglin Air Force Base –

-  This weekend is Armed Forces Appreciation at the Fairgrounds

-  This month is Native American Month and there will be a powwow at the Mullet Festival Site this weekend

-  On Saturday night is the NAACP at the Convention Center

-  Eglin A.F.B. will be having a Unit Compliance Inspection (UCI) which is an inspection of the offices and their practices

-  November 10, 2003 is Oakhill Elementary has their Veterans’ Day Walk where they walk out to  the Veterans’ Day Memorial

-  December 2, 2003 will be the Eglin A.F.B. hospital addition ribbon cutting ceremony and the facility will be open for business around December 12.

-  December 5, 2003 is the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the West Gate Chapel at 5:00

-  On December 5, 2003 at 1:00 there will be a Town Hall Meeting at Okaloosa Walton Community College (West Florida OWCC campus) where they will discuss housing privatization.  This is where Eglin A.F.B. and Hurlburt Field get together and decide whether to replace or renovate the current housing on both bases through a private contractor.

-  December 6, 2003 is the annual Christmas reception at the Officers’ Club at 7:00

-  December 10, 2003 the Marines arrive offshore and December 12, 2003 they will come ashore over at Wynnhaven

-  A week ago this past Saturday, honorary commanders, chaplains and command chief from each of the 6 MACs in the local area came to Colonel Hendricks’ home for dinner.  They are the first charter class of honorary commanders in the 96^th Air Base Wing and they will serve a 1 year term.  Col. Hendricks thanked everyone for their nominations.

-  The 96^th Communications Group recently received a level 5 certification in software.  They are only the 2^nd organization in the United States Government to receive this rating.

-  Eglin A.F.B. hospital already has 2 residency programs (dental and family practice) and they are being looked at for an OB residency.

-  Commissioner Tucker mentioned that there is a web site for voting for Eglin A.F.B. to be number one in the country.

-  They are building a new Enlisted Club which should be opened around April and it is planned for the old one to become an Education Center .  

NEXT MEETING

The next scheduled meeting will be held on Monday, December 1, 2003 at 12:00 p.m.

ADJOURN

Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:26 p.m.