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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 07-13-2006 WorkshopCity Council Budget Workshop Meeting City Hall Annex 111 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida THURSDAY July 13, 2006 5: 30 P.M. MINUTES Call to Order: Council Members Present: Council Member Burt Bruns Mayor Pro Tern Bob Hoog Council Member Leo Nicholas (arrived at 5:55 p.m.) Mayor Rocky Randels Council Member Absent: Council Member Buzz Petsos Others Present: City Manager City Clerk Asst. City Clerk City Treasurer Building Official Precinct Commander Precinct Lieutenant Fire Chief Stormwater Coord. 1) GENERAL FUND Overview of Budget: Bennett Boucher Susan Stills Virginia Haas Andrea Bowers Todd Morley Doug Scragg Jeff Ludwig Dave Sargeant Jeff Ratliff Mr. Boucher summarized that this year's budget is over $16 million and includes items that the city endeavors to complete like the paving projects. Mr. Boucher stated that the city would like to invest in its employees with a 5 percent COLA noting that the consumer price index was 4.2 percent. Mr. Boucher stated that the budget also contains a 3% pension match to all eligible participants which would cost approximately $53,094 if all employees enrolled. Mr. Boucher explained that the city wants to offer better wages and benefits to encourage employees to continue with the city. He stated that Group Health Benefits is currently out for bid. He noted that Brevard County is City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 13, 2006 Page 2 of 6 paying $10,000 per employee /per year. Ms. Bowers stated that a 25% increase is budgeted for health insurance costs. Mr. Boucher continued that the Recreation Department has requested a full time recreation coordinator and Public Works is requesting a new GIS position. The Sheriffs Department is requesting two new deputies and the Fire Department is requesting 3 additional paid positions. Cape Canaveral continues to grow, therefore; the Fire Department will continue requesting additional paid staff each budget year. Mr. Boucher stated that property tax has increased 37.5% and City Council, at their August 1st meeting, will need to set the proposed tentative millage rate. Ms. Bowers noted that revenues have changed and the bottom line is $52,480 which encompasses final property values and sits at 39 %. She continued that Police millage rate is 2.1 mil and Fire 1.3 mil therefore changes to the bottom line on page 24 should reflect $32,073. Mr. Bruns summarized that departments are requesting two new deputies, one recreation employee, one public works employee, and three potential fire personnel. Mr. Bruns asked Mr. Boucher to review how many employees could potentially be involved in the pension plan; and what was the philosophy behind the 3% matching pension trust. Mayor Randels asked Ms. Bowers for the total tax revenue. Ms. Bowers noted that the totals had just changed and she could advise tomorrow. Ms. Bowers clarified that the cash carried forward was for street paving only and the ad valorem tax is for fire, police, beautification and library use only. She continued that the City would spend 1.95 million for street paving and additional funds would be replaced from general reserves. Police Service Commander Scragg summarized the budget increases and requested two additional deputies. Commander Scragg noted that for the same level of service now provided, the total cost request is $2,451,741. The precinct requests two new deputies and vehicles to strengthen the road patrol. Commander Scragg explained that the 7% increase was driven by salary and benefits. He stated that the city is struggling with growth management, new construction, visitor influx, Port growth, and city traffic. He feels a definite need to strengthen the ranks in uniform patrols. Commander Scragg expressed that the precinct has done an excellent job in the previous years with the resources City Council has appropriated. He explained the increasing need to backfill uniforms with special operation persons and GCU agents because of personnel shortages. He continued that you must allow people annual, vacation and sick leave which results in personnel shortages on a daily basis. The shortage is also created by training, family medical leave, workers compensation injuries plus the increasing need for level of service. The result leaves the Precinct in a City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 13, 2006 Page 3 of 6 reactive mode instead of proactive mode with discretionary time to prevent crimes when citizens call. Commander Scragg reiterated his goal in building the ranks as much as possible, such as five uniforms on each shift. Commander Scragg explained that there is no crime wave in the city, and drug arrests are up 300 %. Mayor Pro tem Hoog asked for the Commander's projections in force for the upcoming 5 years. Commander Scragg replied that two deputies per thousand persons was not a good standard and he would like to see 2.5 or 2.7 deputies per thousand so you can capture the influx of people visiting during winter months as well as beach visitors. Commander Scragg responded to Mr. Nicholas that Port Canaveral utilizes two deputies per terminal and the Precinct is requesting two additional officers at the Port as well. There was some discussion regarding the Port Authority disliking Port Deputies responding to Cape Canaveral incidents. Mayor Pro Tern Hoog stated his only concern as level of service. Commander Scragg responded that he prefers his special operations to handle narcotic problems, but he is unable when they are patrolling. He noted at these times he must revert to a "basic level of service ". Commander Scragg responded to Mr. Bruns that he has great influence in who gets transferred and the precincts compete for good candidates. Mayor Randels summarized that funds in the amount of $167,000 are needed to maintain the present level of service. Mayor Randels stated the question: Does the city need two additional deputies in the amount of $254,000? Mr. Bruns asked if this request was in addition to the four replacement vehicles. Commander Scragg affirmed a total request of six new police cruisers fully equipped. Mayor Pro Tern Hoog expressed the need for increased level of service which the voters approved and he supports that need. Mayor Randels estimated the referendum at $2,121,830 and the actual budget is $2.7 million to include the city's funding. Mr. Nicholas voiced no problems or concerns with police service. Ms. Bowers noted that monies from capital expansion will fund the two new deputies. Mr. Boucher requested an overview of existing personnel and any additions for the next five years while utilizing the population figure of 13,000. Commander Scragg reported his short term goal was three deputies with supervisors on every shift in the city and Port. Commander Scragg stated that the precinct is appreciative to the council for the tools they have given them to do their jobs. There was some discussion regarding the policing of Avon by the Sea area. Resident Shannon Roberts stated that the citizens might like to review crime data rates relative from year to year. Commander Scragg responded that the Hometown News and Florida Today publish a year end crime report noting drops in burglary and theft with an increase in narcotics arrests. City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 13, 2006 Page 4 of 6 Fire Service: Chief Dave Sargeant explained overtime and morale issues. He noted that mandatory 24 hour overtime once a week due to the lack of sufficient personnel. Chief Sargeant noted that CCVFD is mandated by the state to maintain personnel on trucks. The personnel issues are: Required training, workers compensation claims, vacation /sick use, decreasing volunteers, cost and time of training. Chief Sargeant requested three additional personnel, which affords two bodies per shift and an additional person should someone call in sick. He stated that overtime was destroying the department's personnel in bum out. Chief Sargeant explained the main problem being the manning of the ladder truck. The response to the Cocoa Beach fire occurred at shift change when ample personnel were available. Chief Sargeant responded to Mr. Nicholas that there are two grants: The Safer Act Grant, which funds firefighters in the field and the Fire Act Grant to apply for certain types of equipment. Though they have applied each year, the department has never received any grants. Chief Sargeant responded to Mayor Randels that Homeland Security funds are typically guided through Sheriff Kevin Berry and FDLE. Funds have rarely left Orange County. However, the department has received chemical suits and other safety equipment. Chief Sargeant responded to Mr. Nicholas that the ladder truck should roll out on every three story or more call. Chief Sargeant responded to Mayor Randels that the required amount for additional personnel does not include the $62,000 from the Port and further that the funds allocated are adequate. Chief Sargeant explained the future big ticket items: another pumper truck and funding for an upgraded or new fire station. He requested that the city place money in reserves to plan for these future items. In addition, he asked council not to lower the tax rate, as the city will not see this kind of tax increase again. Mayor Randels summarized that $1,385,000 is budgeted for Fire services and $1.6 million was expended. Mayor Randels added that the Port split expenses with CCVFD for the purchase of the ladder truck. Chief Sargeant pointed out that prior to the ad valorem tax; services were funded from the general fund. He continued that these taxes are being used for upgrades and personnel as promised to the citizens. Mr. Nicholas commended the Fire Department for fine leadership in asking for exactly what was required which resulted in low insurance ratings for the past 25 years. Chief Sargeant assured Council that he would be asking for an additional 1.5 personnel for the city and the port next year. Resident Shannon Roberts commended Chief Sargeant for the services, presence and quick response time in the community. City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 13, 2006 Page 5 of 6 Chief Sargeant responded to council that 75 to 80 percent of all calls are medical related. There was discussion regarding the County changing the flat fee per household to a millage rate based on the assessment of the home. Mr. Boucher explained that he has posed several questions to the county however nothing has been acted upon. Buildina Department Pam 33 -36 Mr. Morley summarized the line items of the following: Physicals, legal services, travel and per diem, equipment maintenance, office supplies and communications. He noted communications increased due to the additional person. Also Mr. Morley increased the equipment maintenance line item due to increasing costs of computer repairs. Mr. Morley stated that he is budgeting for 2 replacement computers in capital. Office supplies are down and have been trimmed back due in part to some boards having converted to electronic packets. Mr. Morley suggested a FTP site to upload packets as some packets are too large to send via e-mail. Mr. Morley noted that the department has not paid Laserfiche for the outsourcing of the scanned files; therefore this line item remains unchanged. There was discussion regarding the scanning of street files. Connectivity Business System is completing the scanning at 8 cents per page. Mr. Morley reviewed the capital items as two desktop computers and a plotter that was discussed at the previous goals meeting. Ms. Bowers responded to Mayor Pro Tern Hoog that records storage fees are withdrawn from the administration fund. Mr. Morley responded to Mayor Randels that the part-time building inspector will be cross training in code enforcement. Mr. Morley continued that he expects inspections to decrease by half along with a sharp decrease in Planning and Zoning applications relating to the contract services with the City Planner. He foresees a budget decrease in contract services from $70,000 to $55,000. Mr. Morley requested additional funds to purchase new city shirts for all board members. Mr. Morley responded to Mayor Randels the anticipated new developments: Martin Green, Mermaid Key; Porter Project; Benko addition to Cape Caribe and Porta del Rio. Mr. Morley affirmed that building in the city is slowing and very close to build out. Mayor Randels mentioned Carver's Cove trailer park and traveling to Tallahassee to apply for a grant to purchase the property. Mr. Morley summarized the overall department budget increase as only three percent. Mr. Morley stated that his main goal was to lead the department into the 21 century with digital plats and applications. City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 13, 2006 Page 6 of 6 Mr. Morley voiced his opposition to the four day work week and noted the Building Department's desire to maintain current operations at 5 days a week. Code Enforcement Passes 56-59 Mr. Morley explained the budget increase due to the additional employee which would be offset by zero requests in the capital account. He noted the increase in contract services due to increased activity of the code officer and board. Mr. Morley stated that the line item of contract services would be changed to legal services to reflect the actual use of funds. Mr. Morley expressed a change to proactive code enforcement in lieu of reactive code enforcement. Community Aaaearance Pages 47-4.9 Mr. Morley stated no large changes to this department's budget and summarized with one percent less expenditures than last year's budget. There was discussion on workers compensation rates through the Florida League of Cities. Ms. Roberts complimented Mr. Morley and his staff for their customer focus, response and readily available information. Mayor Randels noted the great respect from the public regarding the Building Department staff. Mayor Randels continued that the predevelopment meetings are well liked by the applicants. Mayor Randels noted the next budget meeting of Monday, July 17, 2006 which would include Public Work's budget. Mr. Boucher asked to move the meeting to 5 PM due to a scheduled Community Appearance board meeting at 7 PM. Mr. Bruns stated his pleasure with the progress of the moratorium meeting and asked that another meeting be scheduled to continue the process. Mr. Bruns voiced his support of Mayor Randels traveling to Tallahassee regarding Carver's Cove. ADJOURNMENT: ire being'no further business, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 7:45 P.M. Virginia Haas, Assistant City Clerk