CRESTVIEW — New statewide "public participation in public meetings" laws require the city to revisit its own policies, if only to bring them into compliance with state regulations, city attorney Jerry Miller said.

Speaking at a Monday evening City Council workshop, Miller emphasized that Crestview, unlike some municipalities, already has a "very liberal" public participation policy.

"It would appear in some jurisdictions they were not very gracious with their time and listening to public comment," Miller said.

The new legislation is an opportunity for Crestview to refresh several of its own rules, Miller said. On his advice, the council repealed  policy 93-3, "Meeting General Rules of Order."

"I didn't find it a very useable document for most purposes," Miller said. "I found it way longer than it needs to be."

Under the legislation, the city should also revisit its rules for participation in quasi-judicial hearings, which, Miller said, by law should be limited to site-specific rezoning and project approvals.

The public can still attend quasi-judicial hearings, but only people "with standing," or involvement in the hearing, should be allowed to speak.

Miller said the council is involved in too many quasi-judicial hearings. Approving many projects brought before it shouldn't be the council's responsibility, Miller said.

By becoming enmeshed in considering projects already approved by various city boards, the council risks legal challenges if it disapproves a project that has met the city's requirements for approval.

Recently, for example, a city councilman voted against a project that had met the city's code requirements simply because he disapproved of its aesthetics.

"In property rights issues, we ought to have as much freedom as reasonable, and even some unreasonable," Miller said.

At its regular meeting of the evening, the council voted unanimously to repeal policies 93-3 and 09-01, which was also found to conflict with the new legislation.

Miller said he will have a new policy to present to the council at its Sept. 9 meeting.

"We will always do what we've always done and that is encourage and invite public participations in our meetings," Council President Robyn Helt said.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: New state legislation on public participation spurs new ordinance

CRESTVIEW — After receiving city officials’ praise for Crestview's current trash contractor, the City Council unanimously approved renewing Waste Pro's contract for another five years.

Republic Services' Municipal Services manager Rory Cassedy, representing subsidiary Allied Waste Services, and Ralph Mills, Waste Pro’s regional vice president, addressed the council prior to the vote.

Cassedy stressed his company's bid would save small businesses $33.92 per month in garbage fees, or $407.04 a year, over current rates, or $287.04 annually contrasted with Waste Pro's bid.

Click here for price comparisons of the four solid waste removal candidates >>

Mills emphasized his company's much-lauded customer service and "flat management" structure.

Waste Pro's bid reduces residential and commercial rates, he said, yet provides customers four to five services per week, including twice-weekly trash pick-up, and recycling, yard waste and junk pick-ups.

Since assuming the city's garbage contract in 2007, Waste Pro has provided 10.2 million services, Mills said.

Bids were received from Allied and Waste Pro, as well as Waste Management and Inland Waste Services. A three-person evaluation committee comprising Finance Director Patti Beebe, City Clerk Betsy Roy and Public Services Director Wayne Steele rated the companies.

 Waste Pro ranked first and Allied ranked third in the evaluations.

Councilman Tom Gordon asked committee members why they recommended Waste Pro over the other bidders.

"You get what you pay for sometimes, and sometimes you don't," Steele said. "In the past five years, we got what we paid for. It was such a refreshing partnership to work with a company that did what you asked them and they met your expectations."

After noting that Waste Pro has "proved themselves over and over," Councilman Shannon Hayes moved to approve a contract with the company. The motion passed unanimously.

Anticipating the council would choose Waste Pro or Allied, City Clerk Betsy Roy had prepared two ordinances granting the city's contract to the two companies respectively.

After Councilman Joe Blocker moved to grant the contract to Waste Pro, which passed unanimously, Roy withdrew the ordinance drafted for Allied.

Waste Pro's new five-year contract becomes effective Oct. 1.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: City Council agrees to renew contract with Waste Pro

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Rick Scott has announced the appointment of Patricia Hollarn to the Florida Elections Commission. Hollarn, 78, of Shalimar is a former Okaloosa County elections supervisor, Main Street Crestview Association member and owns Integrity Unlimited LLC. She succeeds Gregory King and is appointed for a term that began Aug. 20 and ends Dec. 31, 2016.

Senate President Don Gaetz nominated Hollarn for the position on the commission, which enforces Florida’s election laws, investigates and adjudicates complaints and oversees the elections process for national, state and local races.

“Hollarn was the elected supervisor of elections in Okaloosa County for 20 years. She became nationally known for her successful Operation Bravo efforts to ensure that deployed military could easily vote and be assured of having their votes counted. Her Kids Vote and Kids Vote, Too programs instructed tens of thousands of Okaloosa children in the importance and practice of voting,” a press release from Gaetz's office stated.

The appointment is subject to the Florida Senate’s confirmation.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Hollarn appointed to Florida Elections Commission

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview City Council released this agenda for its 6 p.m. meeting on Aug. 26 at Council Chambers.

REGULAR AGENDA

1.      Approval of Consent Agenda:

a.       Approval of the minutes from the August 12, 2013 Council meeting.

b.      Approval of invoice in the amount of $4,275.15 for professional services. Requested by Allen, Norton & Blue, P.A.

c.       REVIEW of Site construction plans for “The Enclave”, a 55 lot single family residential subdivision, to be developed on 43.35±acres, located off of Navajo Trace.   Requested by Kermit George, Southern Engineering Group, and Agent for Bluewater Investors, LTD, Property Owner.  LPA 13-13.

d.      School Evacuation Emergency Shelter Agreements – Public Services.

e.       Exercise Equipment Purchase for Allen Park – Public Services.

2.      Employee Service Awards – Mayor Cadle.

3.      Public Hearing:

a.       Ordinance 1497 – An ordinance annexing 1.38 acres located on James Lee Blvd East.  (PIN 16-3N-23-0000-0039-0010) Requested by Teramore Development, LLC, property owner, by Josh Hufstetler, Vice President; Represented by Jennifer Bell, Project Engineer – Admin Services.

b.    Ordinance 1499 – Amending Ordinance No. 1441, Restating The City Of Crestview General Employees' Retirement Plan, as subsequently amended; Amending Section 1, Definitions, By Amending “Credited Service”; Amending Section 4, Finances and Fund Management; Amending Section 14, Maximum Pension; Second reading;  Requested by City Clerk.

c.   Ordinance 1500 – Amending Ordinance No. 1440 Restating The City Of Crestview Police Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement Plan, as subsequently amended; Amending Section 1, Definitions By Amending The Definition Of “Credited Service”; Amending Section 4, Finances And Fund Management; Amending Section 15, Maximum Pension; Second reading;  Requested by City Clerk.

4.      Citizen Business:

a.       Discuss Wilson Street issues – Jim Godwin.

5.      New Business:

a.       Introduction of the new the Economic Development Councils new Executive Director, Nathan Sparks and their quarterly update.

b.      Solid Waste Contractors presentations.

c.       Solid Waste Contract Bid Approval.

d.      Ordinance #1510 – Solid Waste Contract first reading.

e.       Ordinance #1511 – Permit Fees; first reading.

f.       Rezoning Map Updates and Advertising and Public Participation Costs – Requested by Admin Services.

g.      Retirement Fund Study – City Clerk.

6.      Mayoral Report.

7.      Business from the Floor.

a.       Yellow Card Submissions.

b.      Impromptu Yellow Card discussions.

8.      Adjournment.

Note:  Citizen Business is business that was submitted by a citizen or group of Citizens no later than the Wednesday prior to the meeting to the Clerk's office for approval.  Supporting documents must be submitted at this time to be on the regular agenda.    All New Business is for staff and elected officials only, and must be submitted for approval no later than the Friday one week prior to the meeting.   Those not listed on the regular agenda who wish to address the council should fill out a yellow card.  The Card must be submitted to the City Clerk.  Speaking time should be five minutes or less, large groups may designate a spokesperson.  All remarks should be addressed to the Council as a whole and not to individual members.  All meeting procedures are outlined in the Meeting Rules and Procedures brochure available outside the Chambers.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview City Council releases Aug. 26 agenda

CRESTVIEW — City Council President Robyn Helt, saying taxpayers shouldn't be expected to "make up the slack" if the city can't live within its means, has offered a proposal for a balanced budget.

Helt's plan, presented during a Monday budget workshop, would come at the expense of four police officer positions funded by a Justice Department Community Oriented Policing Services, or COPS, grant.

Retaining the policemen would cost the city $194,960. Helt said the city had made no plans to fund the positions when the 2010 three-year grant expires this fall.

If integrated into departments' budgets and approved by the council, Helt's proposal would fund Police Chief Tony Taylor’s request to move his department's dispatch center from P.J. Adams Parkway to police headquarters in the Whitehurst Municipal Building.

It would also fund Taylor's CPD accreditation efforts; Library Director Jean Lewis' request for $20,000 in patron computer upgrades and $25,000 for book acquisition; and $74,843 to cover a small portion of backlogged street repaving.

In addition, Helt's plan would erase the current deficit in preliminary budget proposals, which department heads have whittled down to 533,000, while avoiding a millage rate increase.

Funding sources

Funding would come from a combination of budget savings, including no longer asking taxpayers to pay $276,988 for city employee dependent health insurance.

Other funds would come from not providing new funds for the four COPS-funded police officers and implementing a 5 percent increase in water rates.

By city ordinance, water rates should be reviewed annually, but haven't been in 14 years, Helt said.

Ongoing streetmaintenance should include paving 5 miles of city roads annually on a 20-year rotating schedule, but less than a mile has been paved this fiscal year due to funding cuts.

Councilman Shannon Hayes criticized the suggestion that city workers would have to pay for dependents' health insurance.

Helt sympathized with them, but pointed out that many taxpayers have also had to shoulder their own families' insurance costs and shouldn't also have to fund those of city workers' families.

"Did I lose another four positions tonight?" Taylor asked at the end of the meeting.

Helt said though her proposal includes not picking up funding for the expiring COPS grant, nothing was definite and she was open to further suggestions.

"We can't always make decisions that make people popular," Helt said. "I'm not in a popularity contest. I'm here to do a job."

Want to go?

The next City Council budget workshop will be 3 p.m. Aug. 28 at City Hall. Council members encourage residents’ input.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Proposal would retain firefighters, cut police, fund streets

CRESTVIEW — The City Council will continue debating the merits of four companies bidding to run the city's garbage collection services.

After Rory Cassedy defended his company, Allied Waste Services’, proposal, the council agreed on Monday to defer any decision until all bidders could present proposals during the council’s Aug. 26 meeting.

Allied ranked third out of four companies scored by a review committee comprising Public Works Director Wayne Steele, City Clerk Betsy Roy and Finance Director Patti Beebe.

The committee scored the bidders in 15 areas under technical, managerial and financial categories. The top-scoring company was Waste Pro, the city's current waste contractor.

The contract period expires Oct. 1. Bidders were vying for a five-year contract to handle Crestview's solid waste and recycling programs.

Cassedy protested the committee's ranking, noting Delaware-based Allied, Gulf Breeze's waste contractor, submitted the lowest residential and commercial services bids of $15.49 and $19.59, respectively.

Florida-based Waste Pro's current monthly charges are $19 for residential customers and $24 for commercial.

Waste Pro's proposed charges are $17.25 and $23, a savings of $21.12 and $12 annually, respectively, if the company is selected again.

Also bidding were Inland Services Corporation, a Texas-based company, and Waste Management, which previously held the city's contract.

Waste Management proposed the highest monthly charges of $24.38 for residential service and $30 for commercial.

"I feel they have priced themselves out of bid consideration," Steele stated in an evaluation letter to the council. Cheapest isn't always best

Roy noted that though Allied offered the best prices, "this does not mean the lowest bidder is the best choice for the city of Crestview."

The committee had many factors to consider in making its recommendation to the council, Roy said, including customer service.

Councilman Tom Gordon, who often simplifies issues into household terms, concurred, observing that he can buy a hamburger for a dollar, but if he wants a tasty hamburger, he expects to pay more.

The city would also realize more than $10,000 in franchise fees under Waste Pro's proposal than it currently receives, for $150,670 total, Roy said.

The evaluation committee members unanimously praised Waste Pro's performance during the five years it has held the city's garbage contract.

"In the past five years with Waste Pro, I have only received 17 documented complaints from citizens about their trash service," Steele wrote. "Before, we were averaging five per day."

The ultimate decision rests with the council, which in the past has sometimes ignored the recommendation of advisory panels.

Comparing bids A three-person city committee ranked four bidders for Crestview's solid waste and recycling services contract. Bids are as follows:

Bidder    Res.    Comm.    Fee (annual)    Scores (out of 75)

Allied Waste    $15.49    $19.59    $141,588    55/65/66 = 62 average

Inland Waste     $17.68    $23.68    $163,221    60/64/60 = 61.33 average

Waste Mgmt.    $24.38    $30    $208,317    60/65/63 = 62.66 average

Waste Pro    $17.25    $23    $150,670    72/72/73 = 72.3 average

Want to go? The Crestview City Council will hear presentations from bidding solid waste removal and recycling companies at its 6 p.m. Aug. 26 meeting.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview council weighs garbage collectors' contract proposals

LAUREL HILL — The Laurel Hill City Council has approved an annual mowing contract of $11, 324 with Transfield Services.

The council unanimously approved the contract during a special meeting on Monday. Councilman Johnny James made the motion with Councilwoman Betty Williamson’s second.

The council earlier this month deferred the contract vote after Councilman Clifton Hall stated that proposed costs — $7,354 annually — were inadequate and estimated costs needed to be further researched.

Transfield is responsible for mowing and trash pick-up on both sides of State Road 85 within city limits.  

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill council approves mowing contract