CRESTVIEW — The City Council unanimously approved department heads' recommendations for distributing nearly $1 million in refunds from Gulf Power.

The Jan. 27 vote followed discussion at an earlier workshop in which council members concurred with Public Works Director Wayne Steele's recommendations.

Made in consultation with City Clerk Betsy Roy, Steele proposed spending up to $150,000 of the $959,000 refund to restore each city employee's 32 hours of unpaid furlough and reimburse those employees who have already taken some furlough days.

Another $200,000 would be put in Public Works' streets maintenance budget, while the remaining $609,000 would be placed in the general fund reserve account, which Roy described as being "dangerously low."

"It seems logical we would do away with furlough days," Councilman Tom Gordon said before moving to distribute the funds as recommended by staff.

"I think it's reasonable and fair," Councilman Shannon Hayes agreed. "They (city workers) gave when we didn't have the funds and came up short."

Council Vice President Mickey Rytman, presiding in the absence of President Robyn Helt, who was ill, cautioned his colleagues to be frugal with the money.

"We have an unexpected windfall. I'm in favor of restoring the furlough days," Rytman said. "But I don't want to say, 'hey, we have this extra money' and start spending it because next year we won't have it in the budget.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Nearly $1 million will rescind furloughs, fix streets, bolster general fund

The Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women will swear in Valerie McLaughlin, chair; Amy McBride, vice chair; Mary Blackwell, secretary; and Dawn Johnson, treasurer, as its 2014 officers. 

The ceremony is 5:15 p.m. Jan. 27 in the JobsPlus conference room, Suite 415, 490 NE Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach. The group's monthly business meeting begins immediately afterward.

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners established the OCCSW in 1994 to recognize and honor women who have made significant contributions to the improvement of women and citizens of Okaloosa County. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa women's commission to induct new officers

Okaloosa County is considering bundling three major construction projects into one financing deal to get a cheaper loan rate.

Commissioners voted Tuesday to move forward on demolishing and replacing the courthouse annex in Shalimar, construction of an addition to the Sheriff’s Office complex in Shalimar and significant renovation to the county courthouse in Crestview. Officials expect to get started on the projects in the coming year.

Facilities Maintenance Director Don Turner estimated the three projects could be financed for “$20 million plus or minus 25 percent.” He recommended the county put all three projects under one financing umbrella for "more favorable financial terms.

Renovation of the Crestview courthouse is long overdue, Turner said. The aging building, which was built in 1953 and last expanded in the 1962, needs repairs, expansion and further compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: County official: Crestview courthouse renovation 'long overdue'

CRESTVIEW — The Community Redevelopment Agency says it welcomes assistance from the county Economic Development Council as the agency evaluates goals for its final 11 years of existence.

Projects compatible with the agency's working plan include a community garden, more public parking, downtown marketing and a linear park linking the Main Street district with Twin Hills Park.

EDC Vice President Kay Rasmussen, who has called the plan "excellent," cited several proposed ideas that would be compatible with the CRA plan's parameters.

Among potential projects are a downtown amphitheatre, vacant land marketing, vehicular traffic improvements and single-family housing between commercial properties.

The latter is city planning consultant Jack Dorman's recommendation.

"You know what time downtown closes," Dorman said. "If we're going to have a viable, workable downtown, I would strongly encourage you to create a new zoning district for downtown that provides for residential as well as commercial uses."

During the CRA's Monday meeting, Rasmussen recommended the board schedule a workshop and brainstorming session to review its plan and identify projects covered under its scope.

She also proposed a training session for all county CRA boards with Florida Redevelopment Association representative Carol Westmorland, who has agreed to come to Okaloosa County in the spring.

Crestview CRA board members also comprise the City Council, with Council President Robyn Helt as board chairwoman.

Like many state-approved special taxing districts, the designation expires after a set period. The Crestview CRA district is a 30-year program established in 1995.

Wanted: Main Street and Community Redevelopment director

Main Street Crestview Association President Ellis Conner is still in talks with the Community Redevelopment Agency board about the need for a full-time program director.

Main Street has been without a director for two years, which hinders its ability to attract grant money for district improvements, Conner said. A full-time program director is a mandate for Florida Main Street membership.

A director for the CRA and Main Street programs would earn a CRA-funded $40,000 salary, under the proposal.

The board says it will consider the proposal following a workshop to review its master plan and evaluate proposed district projects.

Board chairwoman Robyn Helt says a professional director would offer technical expertise the five board members don't have.

"I'm all for a Main Street manager," board member Mickey Rytman, a former Main Street president, says. "I'd like to find some way to fund this position."

"There is definitely a need for it," board member Shannon Hayes says.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Downtown redevelopment projects include amphitheater

CRESTVIEW — The City Council has denied free use of Old Spanish Trail Park facilities for a local mother organizing a fund-raiser to buy cameras for county school buses.

Tina Bannon asked the council for free use of the park pavilion and walking path for the March 8 event, which would include a vendor fair and walkathon.

Without city support, Bannon said she would have to pay the $250 facility rental fee herself.

City Councilman Mickey Rytman sympathized with Bannon and her Parents Together Okaloosa County organization. He asked city attorney Jerry Miller if the city could "co-sponsor" Bannon's event through waiver of the facility rental fees.

"It's a political decision for you but you're going to have consistency issues if you get into waiving," Miller said. "You're fundamentally using your tax dollars for a particular purpose."

Under Miller's counsel, council members have resisted recent requests for facility fee waivers to avoid establishing a precedent.

Council President Robyn Helt suggested Bannon use an area school's facilities "since it will benefit the school board," but Bannon said people are more accustomed to attending such events at Old Spanish Trail Park.

Councilman Shannon Hayes asked what problems have warranted the three-camera system on each school bus.

Bannon allegedy her daughter has fallen out of her seat at least twice when the bus driver braked unexpectedly, and once was punched by another student.

Cameras would support or debunk students' claims of poor driving skills and would provide evidence of student misbehavior on the buses, Bannon said.

Nearly $200,000 is needed to equip all county school buses with cameras, Bannon said. The school board and Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley have pledged funds toward installing the cameras.

Rytman's motion for the city to cosponsor Bannon's event failed when no second was offered.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Council denies free use of park; event would raise funds for school bus cameras

CRESTVIEW — The next meeting of the Crestview City Council is 6 p.m. Jan. 13 at City Hall, Wilson Street, Crestview.

The regular agenda is as follows:

1. Call to Order

2. Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance

3. Special Presentations

a. Presentation of the return premium from the Florida League of Cities.

4. Approval of minutes from the Oct. 28, 2013 council meeting, Nov. 14, 2013 special meeting, the Nov. 25, 2013 council meeting, the Dec. 9, 2013 council meeting, the Dec. 16, 2013 special meeting and the Dec. 16, 2013 Workshop.

5. Public hearings

6. Public Opportunity on Council propositions

7. Consent agenda

a. Request payment of invoice in the amount of $3,454.50 for professional services. Requested by Allen, Norton & Blue P.A.

b. Request payment of invoice in the amount of  $3, 500 for professional services.  Requested by  Ard, Shirley and Rudolph. P.A.

c. Acceptance of four easements for the purpose of installation and maintenance of the 15” gravity sewer pipeline across the parcels identified as 29-3N-23-0000-00015-0000 and 29-3N-23-0000-0025-0160.   By property owners Crestview Trading Company, LLC and Crestview Crossing Power Center, LLC.  Requested by Public Services.

d. Acceptance of Amendment 5 to the Agreement for the Operations, Maintenance, and Management Services for the City of Crestview.

e. Acceptance of reimbursement for Gulf Power overcharges

8. Resolutions

9. Committee reports

10. Scheduled presentations from the public

a. Main Street Crestview Association award presentations for Christmas parade floats and store front decorations.

b. Crestview Kiwanis Club Environmental Center

 c. Presentation to the Crestview Fire Department for Emergency Pet Rescue Kit donated by the citizens of Crestview.

d. Request to waive fees for Old Spanish Trail Rental for Okaloosa County fundraiser-Tina Bannon

11. Project reports and comments from mayor and council

12. Staff reports and recommendations

a. Ordinance 1515 – Animals- First Reading

b. Acceptance of the Janitorial Bids  Item has been removed.

c. Resignation of Dwight Swing from Fire and Police Retirement Board

d. Discussion of MOU with Okaloosa county for funding for Routes 11 and 12 of the Okaloosa County Transit for the remainder of  2013-2014.

13. Comments from the audience

14. Adjournment

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: City Council meeting agenda includes Gulf Power repayment acceptance