The latest BCC meeting

[Groovegirls]

Here is a little video from Thursdays heated BCC meeting. Thanks to 30ATV for covering it.

http://30a.tv/play.php?vid=1982&fb_...01722358314531":"og.likes"}&action_ref_map=[]

 

[Teresa]

Interesting meeting.

 

[Groovegirls]

Yes it was!

 

[fishwalton]

It seems a new special interest group calling themselves the Walton County Small Business Association wants a special committee approved and appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. This group all of a sudden popped out of the woodwork in September when the BCC stepped up to the plate to address the parking and traffic problem in south Walton. Where have they been for the past 10 to 15 years when all the decisions were made that created the problems?

I have very little sympathy for this new organization since many of these same people are responsible for the mess they themselves have created in south Walton. I do have a great deal of sympathy and empathy for the permanent and part-year residents, and short term tourist who have to put up with the mess created by selfish special interest developers.

It's well known these problems have been exacerbated by the county government making poor decisions favoring development sometimes in violation of their own rules and regulations.Homes and businesses have been squeezed into small spaces without regard to long term planning and any negative fallout on neighborhoods. The result has been a mix-mash of conflicting development design with inadequate roads,drainage and parking space. The failure to adequately plan for traffic control and parking facilities has brought about a crisis in some minds.

Now that the county has woke up and is trying to take some positive steps to address the issues we hear some of the same perpetrators of the mess crying wolf. It seems some of the business supported past actions that were once wonderful have now created a backlash of negative issues and the ox has been gored..

For years individuals and neighborhood representatives have sounded the alarm on what was happening to south Walton. They knew exactly where the community was headed but were stiff armed by the Board of County Commissioners of the past. The BCC acted in favor of pure developer greed. Homes and businesses were crammed into small spaces with inadequate parking and drainage. This situation was created long before the current 'new' county commission came about.

Everything was hunky dory so long as developers got what they wanted. Now all of a sudden what they wanted has turned out to be an albatross around their necks. So they come up with a 'blue ribbon committee' idea to help fix the problem. Give me a break! We have already seen what one sided special interest has done!

Commissioner Cindy Meadows is absolutely right on using the workshop process. This allows the public full access to the development of rules that apply to everyone. As with any ordinance a set of rules and procedures can usually be improved through a public workshop.

A statement reported in a local daily newspaper quoted hired spokesman Gary Shipman saying: "You can’t think outside the box in your workshop system".
Obviously Mr. Shipman has very little experience with the workshop system in Walton County.They work very well indeed! Contrary to Shipman's assertion public workshops,especially in south Walton, are heavily attended by the public and believe you me more often than not many folks do think outside the box and make no bones about it!

If was very clear at the last BCC meeting when the WCSBA spokesman presented the idea the political wheels had been greased. However, the unexpected happened. Commissioner Meadows and a citizen advocate spoke about the committee composition. There was nothing presented by Shipman that was inclusive to the whole community, just special business interest.

While the Walton County Small Business Association may be a legitimate organization with their own interest the question is should they attempt to impose their interest on the entire population by having special access to the Board of County Commissioners through a Blue Ribbon Committee? In my opinion the answer is absolutely not! They can put forth their interest just like other organizations, small groups, and individuals in a public workshop.

Walton County does not need another sanctioned special interest committee. What we do need is a County Commission that will once and for all give credence to those public voices who have been speaking for years. Their alarm about congestion, traffic, parking, and development in general deserves a significant seat at the table of public opinion and the political process.. The BCC can provide that opportunity in as many workshops as it takes to come to a reasonable solution.


J. B. Hillard
DeFuniak Springs, FL

 

[Andy A]

J.B. and Commissioner Meadows are absolutely right. While the business community is of utmost importance to South Walton, they shouldn't be allowed to totally control activities here. That is what the "special committee" would attempt to do.

 

[incredible1]

It seems a new special interest group calling themselves the Walton County Small Business Association wants a special committee approved and appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. This group all of a sudden popped out of the woodwork in September when the BCC stepped up to the plate to address the parking and traffic problem in south Walton. Where have they been for the past 10 to 15 years when all the decisions were made that created the problems?

I have very little sympathy for this new organization since many of these same people are responsible for the mess they themselves have created in south Walton. I do have a great deal of sympathy and empathy for the permanent and part-year residents, and short term tourist who have to put up with the mess created by selfish special interest developers.

It's well known these problems have been exacerbated by the county government making poor decisions favoring development sometimes in violation of their own rules and regulations.Homes and businesses have been squeezed into small spaces without regard to long term planning and any negative fallout on neighborhoods. The result has been a mix-mash of conflicting development design with inadequate roads,drainage and parking space. The failure to adequately plan for traffic control and parking facilities has brought about a crisis in some minds.

Now that the county has woke up and is trying to take some positive steps to address the issues we hear some of the same perpetrators of the mess crying wolf. It seems some of the business supported past actions that were once wonderful have now created a backlash of negative issues and the ox has been gored..

For years individuals and neighborhood representatives have sounded the alarm on what was happening to south Walton. They knew exactly where the community was headed but were stiff armed by the Board of County Commissioners of the past. The BCC acted in favor of pure developer greed. Homes and businesses were crammed into small spaces with inadequate parking and drainage. This situation was created long before the current 'new' county commission came about.

Everything was hunky dory so long as developers got what they wanted. Now all of a sudden what they wanted has turned out to be an albatross around their necks. So they come up with a 'blue ribbon committee' idea to help fix the problem. Give me a break! We have already seen what one sided special interest has done!

Commissioner Cindy Meadows is absolutely right on using the workshop process. This allows the public full access to the development of rules that apply to everyone. As with any ordinance a set of rules and procedures can usually be improved through a public workshop.

A statement reported in a local daily newspaper quoted hired spokesman Gary Shipman saying: "You can’t think outside the box in your workshop system".
Obviously Mr. Shipman has very little experience with the workshop system in Walton County.They work very well indeed! Contrary to Shipman's assertion public workshops,especially in south Walton, are heavily attended by the public and believe you me more often than not many folks do think outside the box and make no bones about it!

If was very clear at the last BCC meeting when the WCSBA spokesman presented the idea the political wheels had been greased. However, the unexpected happened. Commissioner Meadows and a citizen advocate spoke about the committee composition. There was nothing presented by Shipman that was inclusive to the whole community, just special business interest.

While the Walton County Small Business Association may be a legitimate organization with their own interest the question is should they attempt to impose their interest on the entire population by having special access to the Board of County Commissioners through a Blue Ribbon Committee? In my opinion the answer is absolutely not! They can put forth their interest just like other organizations, small groups, and individuals in a public workshop.

Walton County does not need another sanctioned special interest committee. What we do need is a County Commission that will once and for all give credence to those public voices who have been speaking for years. Their alarm about congestion, traffic, parking, and development in general deserves a significant seat at the table of public opinion and the political process.. The BCC can provide that opportunity in as many workshops as it takes to come to a reasonable solution.


J. B. Hillard
DeFuniak Springs, FL

Could you explain how the Small Businesses have "made a mess" of Walton County?
Could you explain how a committee with representatives from WCSO, SWFD, Planning, SWCC, HOA and one rep from the Small Businesses is "Special interest"
They want to provide solutions not just *****
BTW the Small Businesses employ most of Walton County

Workshops are good process? Really.... That's how we ended up with big blue ugly signs. Workshopped, people cried out and look what we got. Big blue signs.
Attending workshops only allows discussion on specific items, and the discussion is narrow. ITs even more narrow when the public input is completely ignored and the BCC railroads ahead anyway. How its that a fair process?
These "Problems" didn't happen overnight. If a mass amount of people come here to visit Seaside, so now there is a parking problem how the F"&^ did the small business cause that. If the TDC spends $50 million in the last ten years to get people to the beach then provide no parking at beach access how is that the small businesses fault?
Not all business owners go to all the BCC and or workshops all the time every meeting cause newsflash they are running a business and employing people.

These ordinance changes affect Defuniak too... making downtown Defuniak businesses non compliant and unable to rebuild in event of a fire or other catastrophe. Its ridiculous to try and cover the whole county with far reaching consequences just to address a parking problem on 30a during 4 months of the year.
The outdoor event change means you need a permit 45 days in advance signed off by the county to have cook out if more than 3 people are attending. How does that fix anything?
The association has said at every meeting that further study and proper solutions long term need looked at not changes that don't even address the issues at hand, and discriminate.

 

[incredible1]

No one is trying to control anything. There is a repeated statement to be part of the solution to the problems. That's not seeking control that's seeking fairness.
If the committee is formed the association would be one representative on a panel of wcso, swfd, planning, swcc, hoa or whomever the BCC commissioners decide. If the commissioners are picking the committee how is that controlling it?

 

[luca brazzi]

I wish the "small businesses" that operate at upscale Rosemary Beach could get some public restrooms put in. But this being Walton County, I'm sure there are no regulations in place for minor annoyances like that.

 

[Truman]

Gary Shipman, with the small business association, said many in the room were there for the parking and other proposed ordinances for the business community. He said there are two types of people, those who complain and those who offer solutions. Shipman noted the business license, event and parking ordinances being proposed or looked at. He said they want to create solutions. Shipman said these should be reviewed by those who will enforce them to make sure they are able to be enforced. He said they should be concerned how they are impacting the business environment. He said the parking ordinance as proposed would have an impact on small businesses. He agreed there is a problem and noted some are during high visitor time.


Shipman said the system of workshops looking at one ordinance when there are several, does not work. He also said regulating new parking would not help the current situation. Speaking for a group, he said they should create a blue ribbon committee with people like the sheriff and TDC. He told the commissioners that if they put smart people together, then they might be able to come up with an ordinance that would work.


County Attorney Mark Davis said the Board has the authority to create a board. If that board will make a recommendation then it would have to operate in the sunshine. Shipman agreed the committee would work in the sunshine and agreed the members will have to follow the sunshine law. He said members from his group as well as others would be on the committee. Commissioner Meadows asked what they could do with a committee that they can not do in a workshop. She noted the member’s email could be open to the public. Shipman said the workshops are for one ordinance and only to that ordinance. He told commissioners the committee would work towards all the issues and finding solutions.


Meadows said her experience is committees have to have paid staff, minutes, and that committees usually drag things out. She said the committee can narrow down and limit to a select few and their agenda. She said they rarely come to a consensus. Meadows said they have come up with a process for ordinances that work very well. The audience broke out in laughter and Shipman said there are people here who disagree. Meadows said this is the first time she has seen many of the audience members there. The attorney said the workshop can look at other issues than just one ordinance.


Shipman said the reason they do not see many of the people who were at the meeting is because they have better things to do. He also said there is a distrust of the county enacting ordinances that are not what they seem, that they are here to harm. He said their experience is the workshop process does not work. Meadows said a Blue Ribbon Committee, or rather a Lloyd Blue Ribbon Committee is really not the type of thing. As the crowd interrupted her, Shipman addressed her as commissioner Harris. He said this is not a Blue vs Harris and it is himself that is standing before the commissioners. He said this is what is right for the county. Meadows said many of the ordinances are already on the books and they are not making up stuff to attack businesses. The only new one is the business license and they are asking input for the others. Shipman said they are proposing changes that would require a permit if six people come to a backyard cookout. Meadows said he is not properly representing the group.


Commissioner Sara Comander said she would make a motion to establish a committee. Comander talked about the businesses that might participate. Meadows agreed, saying the issue affects people who live here full time, part time and even business owners who might come from out of the county. Chairman Pridgen cautioned about having too many on the committee. Commissioner Imfeld said the key words are, “All the Stakeholders.” Shipman agreed. Commissioner Chapman talked about the difference of needs between those in the north and south. He said he is not in favor of a blanket approach. Comander withdrew her motion based on the matter coming back at the next meeting. Larry Jones said they all want the same thing and he would sit with and work with the business owners in a meaningful way.


Another audience member, who is a small business owner, said she does not agree with all the statements by Shipman. She said she does come to the meetings and they have been talking about these issues for years. She said she does not like taking the time to come, but that she learns things. She said this is a kind of slap in the face to those who have been asking for this. She also said she feels they are leaving out others, such as homeowners. She said this is for everyone in the county. She told commissioners one interest group in the county is being given preference with the commissioners taking action after “snapping their fingers.” Shipman said they are asking for everyone involved.


Lloyd Blue told Commissioner Meadows he is present and if she has any comments she would like to address to him instead of about him, Blue said he thinks it is inappropriate to make snide comments about people. He said he thinks she owes him an apology. She thanked him.

 

[Truman]

The Walton County Small Business Association is not backing down from their fight over mandatory parking regulations.


Earlier this week, members sent letters to county commissioners recommending the formation of a Blue Ribbon Committee, consisting of business owners, commissioners and other local officials.


"This whole thing came about because of concerns with parking and traffic on 30A and Miramar Beach,” said Gary Shipman, spokesperson for the Walton County SBA. “So our position first was it is absurd to pass a countywide ordinance for a perceived parking problem on two roads."


The proposed parking ordinance would affect homes and restaurants all over the county.
Businesses and homeowners already grandfathered in would not have to follow the ordinance.
But they would be subject to the ordinance if they had to rebuild after a hurricane, or they wanted to expand.
Opponents wan the county to look at other alternatives.


"They should get together and come up with recommendations that would include some sort of public transportation to address these issues, not just doing ordinances countywide that are not thought out,” said Shipman.


The county has not responded to the SBA about the Blue Ribbon Committee request.
But several told us they want to speak with other commissioners about the possibilities.
Others say they did not receive the SBA’s letter, and SBA members are hopeful.


"We would have to sit down together and see what the next step would actually be but it would certainly be a concern when you try to be part of the solution to these problems that something like that would be overlooked,” said Paul Vizard, Secretary for the Walton County SBA.


One of the proposed changes would require restaurant owners to have one parking space for every 100 square feet of building space, and one space for every 2 employees on the largest shift.