CALL TO ORDER

President, Councilwoman Fay Miller , called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. at Two Trees Restaurant in Fort Walton Beach .

PRESENT BOARD MEMBERS

Mayor Norm Frucci – Cinco Bayou ( Vic e President)

Mayor Craig Barker – Destin

Mayor Mike Anderson – Fort Walton Beach

Councilwoman Fay Miller – Laurel Hill (President)

Mayor John Thomas – Mary Esther (Secretary/Treasurer)

Councilman Al Swihart – Niceville

Mayor Gary Combs – Shalimar

Commissioner Heyward Strong – Valparaiso

ALSO PRESENT

Joy Brown – Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA)

Phillip Ellis – Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA)

Dave Swanick – Eglin A.F.B.

Missy McKim – Fort Walton Beach

Mitsi Bennett – Habitat for Humanity

Mack Gay – Institute of Senior Professionals (ISP)

Tina Smith – Shalimar

Commissioner Elaine Tucker – Okaloosa County

NOT PRESENT

Councilwoman Brenda Bush – Crestview

MINUTES

Councilman Swihart moved to approve the minutes of the March 7, 2005 and May 2, 2005 meetings as written.  Mayor Combs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

TREASURER’S REPORT/FILING FEE REPORT

Mayor Thomas reported the balance, as of June 5, 2005 , is $1,641.22.  Mayor Frucci moved to approve the treasurer’s report.  Commissioner Strong seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

-  Affordable Housing discussion – Mayor Barker briefly relayed his information from the last meeting for those that weren’t present last month.  Mayor Barker moved that the Okaloosa County League of Cities sponsor a summit to bring all of the cities and county stakeholders together to discuss attainable housing and come up with an action plan.  Mayor Anderson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

-  Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) briefing – Mayor Barker recapped the discussion from the last meeting.  The 2 representatives from the CBA gave their presentation (a copy of the briefing is attached).  It contains their role in the community, information about the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), details of the proposal, and the fees for each city should they decide to partner with them.

NEW BUSINESS:

-  ocloc.com Contract and payment schedule – Tina Smith requested a payment of $600 one time per year instead of $300 two times per year.  Commissioner Strong moved to change the payment schedule in the contract to $600 one time per year.  Mayor Barker seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS FROM CITIES:

Cinco Bayou – Cinco Bayou had nothing to report.

Crestview – Crestview had no one in attendance.

Destin –

·         The Harbor pump, which pumps 50,000 gallons per hour, is now up and operational

·         Destin Councilwoman Sam Seevers was elected as the next Florida League of Cities (FLOC) President

·         The city is still dealing with Beach Restoration Project challenges.  They expect an decision from the judge by mid to late June

Eglin Air Force Base:

·         June 16 is the Mayor’s Breakfast with Col. Keith

·         Now through the end of July there will be 7 Change of Command Ceremonies on Eglin

·         On June 18 is the 70^th Anniversary Celebration of Camp Pinchot

·         The BRAC list was recently announced.  Expect a visit from the BRAC Commission.

Fort Walton Beach –

·         Work will begin in the near future on a reuse water line from Hurlburt Field to the City’s Beal Memorial Cemetery and points between.  The project is being funded through a grant from the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development.

·         The east dock of the Fort Walton Landing, which was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan, was recently reconstructed. 

·         All City employees are participating in Customer Service Training during May and June being conducted by the Whitman Center for Public Service at the University of West Florida .

·         Kids Day at the Fort Walton Landing will be held on Thursday, June 9^th from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Fort Walton Landing.

·         City Changers, a City of Fort Walton Beach project to engage local teens in re-roofing projects, will be held June 27^th – July 1^st.  Approximately 80 youth will re-roof six homes in the City.

·         Friday Night Flicks outdoor movies, sponsored by the City, will run every Friday night at 8:30 p.m. from July 1^st – August 26^th at the Fort Walton Landing.

·         The annual 4^th of July celebration sponsored by the City and the Greater FWB Chamber of Commerce will be held on July 4^th from 4 – 9 p.m. at the Fort Walton Landing.

·         The City will be receiving a briefing from the Encroachment Committee from Eglin about Building Heights .

Hurlburt Field – No one from Hurlburt Field was present.

Laurel Hill

·         The city celebrated its 100^th Birthday

·         Laurel Hill is working on changing over to sewer systems

·         There is some discussion about starting to collect ad valorem taxes for the city

Mary Esther – Mary Esther had nothing to report.

Niceville – Niceville has an upcoming election; 1 seat available and 2 candidates running for the position.

Okaloosa County – Commissioner Tucker explained that the County Commission is discussing a 1 cent sales tax proposal to be used for Roads and Stormwater needs.

Shalimar –

The Hotel Construction (Fairfield Inn) is finally underway.  The builder is hoping to be done by January, 2006.

Valparaiso

·         The water tank is on schedule and the tie-in is ahead of schedule

·         The city has 2 townhome projects going up

·        Everyone is invited to the July 4^th fireworks

ANNOUNCEMENTS – Mayor Barker asked if a date had been discussed for the Attainable Housing briefing.  Mayor Anderson volunteered to lead the organization.  Please e-mail him at fwbmayor@fwb.org with ideas of people to attend the summit.  He will also get everyone the date, time, and place information when it is decided.

ADJOURN:  There was no further business so the meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.