Before the meeting was called to order, County Commissioner , Elaine Tucker, who had just attended a County Emergency Management Meeting regarding Hurricane Ivan, came in to brief the League on what she had learned.

·        If a Mandatory Evacuation is called, there is a possibility that SR 123 will be northbound only.  This decision won’t be made until a Mandatory Evacuation is declared.

·        As of noon today, all tolls on all toll bridges have been waived.

·        There will be an Emergency Management Meeting tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m.

·        As of noon today, The Okaloosa County web site (www.co.okaloosa.fl.us) will have all pertinent emergency information posted for everyone including the courts, schools, shelters, etc.

·        So far the only evacuations that have been called in Okaloosa County are Voluntary evacuations for those that live south of Hwy. 98.

·        During a Mandatory Evacuation, people can not be kicked out of their homes but they should be aware that it is possible that Emergency Management won’t be able to help them if there is a problem during the storm.

·        Commissioner Tucker will be working out of the EOC full-time starting Wednesday.  She can be reached any time on her cell phone.

·        The County’s Growth Management Department will have a licensing official in the office after the storm to handle all unlicensed contractors.

·        Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties have already called a State of Emergency .  Walton County is probably going to call theirs the same time as Okaloosa County .  Some of the smaller surrounding counties (Washington, Levy, etc.) called their State of Emergencies over the weekend.

·        Due to new state standards, some of the buildings that have historically been shelters are no longer officially “Red Cross” shelters.  Red Cross will not be manning these shelters but the County will get volunteers to help if necessary.

·        Thursday’s TPO meeting will be canceled for this week but will be rescheduled.

CALL TO ORDER

President, Mayor Glenda Glover, called the meeting to order at 12:03 p.m. at Two Trees Restaurant in Fort Walton Beach .

PRESENT

Mayor Norm Frucci – Cinco Bayou

Mayor Craig Barker – Destin

Mayor Glenda Glover – Fort Walton Beach (President)

Councilwoman Fay Miller – Laurel Hill ( Vic e President)

Mayor John Thomas – Mary Esther

ALSO PRESENT

Wanda Jones-Heath – Eglin A.F.B.

Tina Smith, Deputy Town Clerk – Shalimar

NOT PRESENT

Councilwoman Brenda Bush – Crestview

Councilman Al Swihart – Niceville

Mayor Gary Combs – Shalimar

Commissioner Heyward Strong – Valparaiso

Commissioner Elaine Tucker – Okaloosa County (After Commissioner Tucker briefed everyone she left)

MINUTES

Mayor Frucci moved to accept the minutes from the August 2, 2004 meeting as written.  Mayor Barker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Mayor Glover reported a balance of $2,538.31 after lunches were paid for last month.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

·        Clean Water Project update – Mayor Barker updated the group on the July 20 Clean Water Meeting at Mayor Glover’s request.

·        Voter’s Guide update – Commissioner Strong was not in attendance but he was able to brief Mayor Glover on the progress of the Voter’s Guide.  It was agreed that the voter’s guides would include the number of registered voters to remind the politicians that most city residents will vote as a block.  This issue will go on the October agenda.

·        Letter for Board of County Commissioners – Mayor Combs was not in attendance.  This issue will go on next month’s agenda.

NEW BUSINESS

·        FLOC Committee Report –

   The Meeting in Chipley has been canceled. 

   The Executive Director of the NWFLC, Jeff Hendry, has asked for all important municipal issues to be sent to him quickly.

·        Social Security Number update – Mayor Glover briefed that the FLOC President, Clay Ford, put several people on committees this year.  Mayor Glover was put on this Committee for Transportation and Urban Administration because that is the committee that will be handling the Social Security Number issue in the upcoming year.

Mayor Thomas asked about the nominations for the Board of Directors.  Since there were only 5 members present, Mayor Glover asked that it be put on the agenda for the October Meeting.

Mayor Barker relayed that the Florida Legislature passed a bill this last year that requires the cities to implement into their Comp Plan/Land Development Code measures to minimize the negative impact on a military installation’s mission.  Mayor Glover stated that the City of Fort Walton Beach already included an Eglin Representative on their Planning and Zoning Board but asked Mayor Barker if it was a requirement that it be included in their Comp Plan.  Mayor Barker responded that it was Senator Clary’s understanding that it needed to be added to each cities’ Comp Plans.  All members present were advised to look into the issue for their own benefit.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS FROM CITIES

Cinco Bayou –

·         Cinco Bayou’s Town Manager just had a total knee replacement.

·         The construction across from the town hall is approximately half finished and the town is anxious about what may happen with the area during the hurricane.

·         Dutch Payne is back on the council and doing fine right now.

Crestview – Councilwoman Bush was not in attendance.

Destin – The city will be having a 20^th Anniversary Celebration beginning on November 1 and running until November 6.  Destin will be renaming a stretch of Hwy. 98 that same week and they have also planned activities for the youth in the area such as a letting them run a Council Meeting.

Eglin Air Force Base –

·         The POW/MIA Ceremony will be rescheduled due to the hurricane.

·         The Eglin Battle Staff will have a meeting today at 5:00 p.m. to make decisions on hurricane preparations.

Fort Walton Beach –

·         The city was supposed to have an appointment tomorrow night for a vacant council seat but had to cancel it but will be rescheduling it.

·         There was a Music in the Park and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the 2^nd phase of the park improvements.

·         The south side of Hwy. 98 will be 2 hour parking.

Hurlburt Field – There was no one from Hurlburt Field in attendance.

Laurel Hill –

·         The city had a ribbon cutting ceremony for the city hall addition.  Everyone is invited to come by and look at the new chambers.

·         The city has a CDBG housing grant that they are hoping to have completed by the end of November/early December.

·         Laurel Hill is trying to get sewer into the city.  Mayor Glover suggested talking to Freeport because they have experience with this matter.  She also stated that the League of Cities may be able to help.

·         PAWS needed a place to house the bigger animals so Laurel Hill is now leasing space to them.

Mary Esther

·         Mary Esther is still awaiting word from DCA on whether we will be awarded the CDBG grant for renovations to the sewer treatment facilities.  Tim ing on the phone call from the Agency is the delay.

·         At the first budget public hearing on September 8^th, the millage rate was set for 3.5 mils, the same as currently.  The sewer and water tap-in fees are proposed to be adjusted for the first time since 1991 to $1500 and $2500 to be more in line with other fees in the County.  Also, the sewer multiplier is proposed to increase to 1.5 instead of 1.25.  The final budget public hearing is set for Thursday, September 23^rd.

·         The rezoning and small scale comprehensive plan amendment for property on the north side of Hwy. 98 at the far east end of the City faced opposition from the neighboring residents, which resulted in a delay of at least two months while the developer works the issue.

·         A new LED monument-style sign will be installed at the corner of Hollywood and Christobal soon.

Niceville – Commissioner Swihart was not in attendance.

Okaloosa County – Commissioner Tucker departed before the city reports were given.

Shalimar – Mayor Combs was not in attendance.

Valparaiso – Commissioner Strong was not in attendance.

NEXT MEETING

The next Executive Board Lunch Meeting will be held on Monday, October 4, 2004 .

ADJOURN

Being there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:46 p.m.