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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 07-21-2015 WorkshopCITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING CAPE CANAVERAL LIBRARY MEETING ROOM 201 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida TUESDAY July 21, 2015 4:00 PM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER: The Chair called the Meeting to Order at 4:00 P.M. ROLL CALL: Council Members Present: Council Member John Bond Mayor Pro Tem Bob Hoog Council Member Buzz Petsos (4:02 p.m.) Mayor Rocky Randels Council Member Betty Walsh Others Present: City Manager David L. Greene City Clerk Angela Apperson Administrative/Financial Services Director John DeLeo Economic Development Director Todd Morley Community Development Director David Dickey Leisure Services Director Gustavo Vergara Public Works Services Director Joyce Muse Public Works Services Deputy Director Jeff Ratliff Infrastructure Maintenance Superintendent Lonnie Dunn Brevard County Sheriff Lieutenant Andrew Walters Cape Canaveral Volunteer Fire Dept. Chief Dave Sargeant PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: None DISCUSSION: 1. Proposed Fiscal Year 2015/2016 Budget and Five (5) Year Capital Improvement Plan: Mayor Randels noted the Budget work began prior to May 2015; the Budget Detail was delivered June 12, 2015; a memo explaining variances between FY 14/15 & 15/16 proposed Budgets was received on July 10, 2015; the proposed Budget uses the rolled back rate of 3.4878 mills for the General Government and 0.0635 mills for the Library Dependent Special District. City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 21, 2015 Page 2 of 4 City Manager David Greene's explanation of the Budget included: the use of the combined rolled back rate of 3.5513 mills, which generates the same amount of revenue from last year plus growth; up to a 3% performance based raise for each full-time employee; a $250.00 lump sum appreciation/loyalty bonus for each employee; 45 full- time, 3.8 part-time and 2 seasonal employee positions; the overall positive economic outlook which has created more re-development interest; infill of sidewalk gaps; better markings of bike paths; working with Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for changes/improvements to A1A and reduction in speed limit to have an overall emphasis to create a remarkable place and implement the visioning/re-branding initiatives; coming code changes which will trade density for re-development of older properties; continued work to improve effectiveness/efficiency and increased level of service, which will assist to hold costs down; however, any future increase in unfunded mandates may necessitate an increase in revenue; renewal/replacement becoming self-funding; that the City will not see large revenue increases and will be glad to keep up with inflation; that there will be a point in time where we may need to increase revenue; the good relationship with the Port; that there are possibilities to have at least 1 or more connector roads between the Port and City; however, the City will need to take over any portion of the roadway within the City Limits; the challenges that arise from balancing size/scale of new businesses and the desire to have the preferred types of businesses, not just focusing on tourism; being aggressive with code changes to encourage development/re-development; grant funding has been equal to or higher than one year of Ad Valorem revenue; that the Assisted Living Facility Project (ALF) has not moved forward due to financial details; however, some technology businesses and the Port of Call Development are moving forward; other properties are under contract/due diligence for re-development; a belief that the City can accommodate three to five additional hotels/restaurants; the creation of mini-main streets in the north part of the City; the upcoming improvements to North Atlantic Avenue; possible redevelopment of the Oak Manor Trailer Park and the possible need for market based research to assist property owners who may want to sell to development companies. Mayor Randels noted the completion of the new Fire Station, which was proposed since 1985, the refurbishment of the Wastewater Treatment Plant; the planning/design for a new City Hall; and the re-development of several properties to remove older structures and build new/better ones. He also indicated that four of the five County Commissioners support the Community Redevelopment Areas. Mayor Pro Tem Hoog indicated the Budget is very aggressive; however he is in favor of what the City is doing and it is great that all the projects are finally happening. He complimented the City Manager and Staff for preparing a Budget which includes items that have been needed for years. Council Member Petsos complimented Staff and the City Manager for the great Budget. He was glad to see it uses the rolled back rate; however, expressed concern that the Budget did not include "set aside" money to continue the slip lining of utility pipes and roadway paving. City Manager Greene indicated the Budget contains approximately City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 21, 2015 Page 3 of 4 $150,000.00 of work within the right-of-way for sidewalks, striping and storm water projects in addition to the "set aside" for future re-paving; sometimes money may need to be transferred from one line to another to place more emphasis on a particular project as the need arises. City Manager Greene spoke of a few roads that are unpaved and other private roads that need to be resurfaced. The last road that needs considerable work is Central Ave and this could happen if the ALF Project begins. He spoke of the policy changes at Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization which have removed the City from additional Complete Street Funding for Central Avenue and the possibilities for borrowing money for that project. He reminded the Council that streets within the Community Redevelopment Area (CRA)would be funded by the CRA. He indicated Staff will continue to look for creative ways to accomplish things. Mr. Greene noted the recommendation for the rolled back rate of 3.5513; however, Staff could reduce the millage rate to 3.5000, if desired by the City Council. Mayor Pro Tem Hoog expressed a desire to go less than the rolled back rate. City Manager Greene explained the reduction would be possible because the gas company is installing a new line along N. Atlantic Avenue which will re-work the base and re-pave any portion of the roadway disturbed. Also grant applications will be submitted to NASA and the National Endowment of the Arts for streetscape/street art. He noted the City also has a good shot at a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for improvements to Central Avenue if the Assisted Living Facility Project begins. Mayor Randels felt the City could still apply for CDBG Grants because we opted out of the inter-local agreement with the County. City Manager Greene indicated he is mindful of the possibilities; however, in areas other than Economic Development the City is challenged to meet the CDBG guidelines/regulations. Mayor Randels spoke of a letter written to a possible investor to support the development of the Assisted Living Facility. City Manager Greene indicated there may be some pre- selling of units at Puerto Del Rio for additional development. Council Member Petsos complimented City Manager Greene on his work to leverage funds and get construction projects completed. He expressed concern over lowering the millage rate until an outline of where the cuts would be made was received. City Manager Greene indicated a memo would be forwarded explaining the suggested reduction. Council Member Petsos spoke of percentages listed in the proposed Budget vs. the actual percentage from Budget to Budget and how these variance numbers could be deceiving. City Manager Greene explained construction costs are increasing and expressed concern as to what the bid numbers would be for the New City Hall. City Manager Greene noted the final cost of employee benefits could change because renewals will not be received until after the Budget is adopted; however he is optimistic they will be favorable to the City. He also noted the anticipation of re-imbursement from AT&T and/or their sub-contractor for damage done to utility lines. City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 21, 2015 Page 4 of 4 Council Member Walsh expressed thanks to everyone who worked on the Budget. She felt it was awesome to be at the rolled back rate and now to hear we may be able to go lower. She spoke of the Five Year Capital Improvement Plan that is included in the Budget and how this planning/extending the life of assets is instrumental in planning for the future. She noted the early pay off of a State Revolving Loan and indicated she is hearing so many wonderful things about the City from many people, some of which are Cocoa Beach Residents and snow birds. Council Member Bond thanked everyone for all the work done on the Budget, which is clear, concise and full of capital projects. He was happy the City is among the lowest in the entire County. He urged to stay at the rolled back rate and put anything not used in the bank. He indicated he met extensively with the City Manager to discuss the Budget. City Manager Greene suggested deleting any reference to an August 18th Budget Workshop. Council Consensus was reached not to have an August 18th Budget Workshop. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the Meeting adjourned at 5:11 P.M. Rocky Randels, Mayor Angela M. Apperson, MMC, City Clerk SEAL of Cape Canaveral, Florida