COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WORKSHOP
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Escambia County Government Complex
221 Palafox Place
July 17, 2008
Call to order at 9:07 a.m. by Commissioner Marie Young.
Commissioner Gene Valentino was absent.
Old Courthouse Restoration
“Before we start I have some sorrowing news. One of your employees, David Price was killed last night on a motorcycle,” an Escambia County Maintenance official said. “He started two years ago and was a really, really good employee. He will certainly be missed.”
The demolition phase is about 30 percent done.
“Is there anything happening on the third and fourth floor,” Commissioner Robinson asked.
“No,” Bill Lawing said.
This phase should be completed by December this year.
Judicial Study
“We feel like this is a worthwhile project,” said Gordon Pike, bureau chief for corrections.
“We have been involved since February. I have been pleased with the participation we have had from all parties,” Robin Wright, court administrator.
“We are looking at the justice and court system,” said Dr Nancy Insco.
“We are looking for gaps in services and places to improve,” said Dr. Allen Beck. “We want to help to implement recommendations during the course of this project.”
“This is they key to understanding our financial problems,” Robinson said. “But the public perception is ‘We just want them to go away.’ I ask them do you know how much that costs us?”
“There is usually a perception that everyone in jail deserves to be there,” Beck said. “But our system is not about punishing people who have not been sentenced. A lot of the people in jail are there to make sure that they go to trial.”
“We still have a lot of work to do,” Insco said.
Escambia County Health and Wellness Program
“We are sitting with a 24 percent increase,” said Amy Lovoy with county finance. “For every one dollar in premiums paid by retirees we pay more than two dollars in payouts. A significant amount of our claims are by retirees.”
Why are our payouts so high? 73 percent of the workforce is overweight or obese. 23 percent use tobacco. 68 percent are borderline for complications from lack of physical activity.
This information is from our health risk assessment.
“I think inferring that these numbers based on the (sample size) is,” Whitehead said. “You can make numbers say anything. Do we have in our claims experience to take information from those claims?”
“A large segment of our claims are large claims,” Lovoy said.
“What segment of our claims our retirees?” Whitehead asked.
About 15 percent.
“We are looking into a tobacco free hiring policy,” Lovoy said. “And we have formed a benefits committee.”
“I don’t think we should hire someone who smokes and I think we should be a smoke free environment,” Whitehead said.
A motion was made to bring these issues forward to the next meeting. It was seconded and passed 3 to 0.
Purchasing / Small Businesses
“The board can look at small business enterprises,” said County Attorney Alison Rogers. “The city already has a S.B.E. program in place. There are two options to implement these programs. One in an outreach program. The second is to incorporate into the purchasing code to address S.B.E. to give preference points to participate more in the process.”
The definition of an S.B.E. is a community specific definition. The board would control that definition.
“What is a small business in Washington D.C. may not be a small business in Pensacola,” Rogers said.
“It is a level playing field. If someone wants to bid on county work, it is there,” Whitehead said. “There are things that you encounter when you deal with government that you don’t encounter outside.”
“We can’t possible make a decision today but lets give staff an opportunity to look at some things that we can use to make the process more inclusive,” Young said.
“But I don’t think we are excluding anyone now,” White said. “But I am about making the process more simple.”
Escambia River Muzzle Loaders Lease Term
“It has boiled down to three issues. The largest is the Muzzleloaders are willing to spend $250,000 to update the range,” said Keith Wilkins, neighborhood and community services. “But they would like a guarantee that the money would be paid back. That was not recommended by county legal, so they countered with, ‘Well, let the county make the improvements then.’ I have told them to go forward with the improvements at their risk or find another piece of property.”
“I don’t have a problem with repaying some of their expenses if we don’t renew their lease,” Whitehead said. “If we terminate the lease early we could pay it back. Because I don’t think we will ever do anything with that land.”
“The neighbors have asked to review the documents. They are fine with it, Wilkins said. “Everyone is still getting along.”
“I am willing to tell them, if you make these improvements and you get kicked out, you will get paid back,” Robinson said.
“They are pursuing a “charitable organization” title with gun safety,” Wilkins said.
“Do we no longer have a problem with the noise level?” Young asked.
“The management has been taking more responsibility about types of firing and times,” Wilkins said. “The neighbors that are involved right now do not have any material issues and do want to work with the Muzzleloaders.”
“I am not sure 20 years is what we should be looking at,” McLaughlin said. “There is a lot of developable land up there.”
“And they’ve been there for free!” Young said.
At this time Whitehead excused himself to go to a speaking function.
Rural Work Program Liaison
“You will have to take no action today but I do ask that you provide me with information in the future,” a rep said. “I ask for your verbal or written input by August 29.”
“The rural program is a different funding source,” said Larry Newsom.
Ordinance Relating to the Construction of Retaining Walls
“Currently anyone is allowed o build a wall up to 2 feet in height. After that a contractor has to build it. This is an attempt to certify builders with retaining wall licensing. When you have multiple walls, if there is at least 10 feet of separation those walls will not be aggregated as a total,” Lloyd Kerr with development services. “Under this ordinance you would not have to be a G.C.”
Pet-Friendly Shelter Information Report
“The location is Molino Park Elementary School,” said Sandy Jennings. “All this is in the planning stages. We wanted ya’ll to look at where we are now and give us direction.”
“I think this is something that we absolutely need to do,” Robinson said.
“We want this to be a last resort,” Jennings said. “The general public does not need to use this. There are plenty of hotels that are pet friendly. This is only for a last resort.”
The shelter would require the owners to care for their pet and stay in the same shelter.
“We will provide the shelter but you will still care for your pet,” Jennings said.
The board directed Jennings to proceed with the plans.
Boat Ramp Proposal – 1200 Mahogany Mill Road Boat Ramp
Property (REFERRED FROM 06/05/08 PUBLIC FORUM)
“This property was ranked number 2 in 2007,” said Robert Turpin with neighborhood and environmental services. “We would like to move forward with appraisals, environmental site assessments, wetlands determination, a survey and Army Corps permits.”
“Maybe we should refer this,” Young said. “We have two commissioners who are not present.”
Consolidation Plan Fire Services / Volunteer Fire Department
Information Report
“Since we spoke to you last month we have put 12 action items to bed,” said Chief Ken Perkins. “We are moving ahead quickly. I feel confident we may bring our total package to you earlier than expected.”
Microsoft Enterprise Agreement
“If you are improving user frustrations, we are for it,” Robinson said.
Adjournment at 12:36 p.m.