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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 07-17-2006 WorkshopCe City Council Budget Workshop Meeting City Hall Annex 111 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida MONDAY July 17, 2006 5: 00 P.M. MINUTES Call to Order: Council Members Present: Council Member Mayor Pro Tem Council Member Mayor Council Member Absent: Council Member Others Present: City Manager City Clerk Asst. City Clerk City Treasurer Public Works Director Streets Supervisor Stormwater Coord. DISCUSSION: Public Works: Burt Bruns Bob Hoog Buzz Petsos Rocky Randels Leo Nicholas Bennett Boucher Susan Stills Virginia Haas Andrea Bowers Ed Gardulski Kay McKee Jeff Ratliff Streets Department Pages 37-40 Mr. Gardulski explained that wages increased in the Streets department due to the new GIS position. Mr. Gardulski divided the new position between the stormwater and enterprise funds. Mayor Randels requested that Mike Swingler explain the new carte - graph program to City Council through a scheduled workshop. Mr. Gardulski stated that operating expenses are skewed by engineering services utilized for mandatory concurrency review and transportation studies. It was noted that these costs should be handed over to the developer. Mr. Gardulski requested a fee structure in the current code to pass these charges on to the developers (line 3100). Mr. Gardulski informed City City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 17, 2006 Page 2 of 4 Council that the National Emergency Grant program is a great tool for displaced workers from the Hurricanes however this program has ended. He continued that the city is looking aesthetically beautiful because of the 50 displaced workers and the city will have to re- evaluate needs during the year to determine if current staff can maintain that level of service. Mr. Gardulski reminded that there are new parks like Cape View Park, Banana River Park, and Center Street Park that require maintaining. The city should seek ways to contract more services as done in the past with landscaping, concrete services, and inmate crews. Mayor Randels questioned line item 5240 which was decreased to $4,000. Mr. Gardulski replied that grouping crews together has saved on gasoline. Mayor Randels stated total capital as $1,989,000 and asked if there was enough in reserves to bring this total forward. Mr. Gardulski replied that City Council has been very aggressive in putting this money aside for street paving. Mr. Gardulski explained that before street paving occurs, he would like to complete the Buchanan/Orange Avenue box and the lift station force one main on Washington. Mayor Randels asked the status of re- leveling Manatee Park. Mr. Gardulski replied that cross- piping along the trail would be completed and raising of the handicapped parking. Mr. Gardulski finalized that street paving would most likely start in July 2007, beginning with the Presidential streets. Beautification Fund Panes 69 -75. Ms. Bowers distributed adjustments to the property taxes. She explained the total ad valorem taxes as $499,000 which is a 39% increase resulting in a carry over of $50,000. Mr. Gardulski noted a normal increase in contract services and operating expenses rose 37 %. He explained that when new parks are added you must consider maintaining perpetual cost to include capital, new trees, plants, sod replacement and street lighting. Mr. Gardulski clamed that line item 6312, decorative street lighting, does not include the Ridgewood Avenue project. The reference to Ridgewood Avenue in line item 6312 would be removed as this line item strictly pertains to the City Hall Campus area. Mr. Petsos asked if it would be reasonable to request Florida Power and Light representatives to speak with City Council regarding project delays in the city. There was discussion regarding Ridgewood Avenue streetscape. Mr. Boucher responded to Mayor Randels that the City would enter into a development agreement with Cape Caribe to ensure the city does not negatively suffer from any future developments. Mr. Bruns questioned the beautification ad valorem of $499,000 and asked if the city can utilize that kind of money. Mayor Randels interjected that interest is accumulating fast and there is $165,000 in Bennix funds that are unallocated. Mr. Gardulski replied that the biggest percentage is allocated to contract and inmate services. Mr. Bruns asked that council review the amount of money in the fund and he noted that this amount is extensive for a small -sized city. Mr. Petsos questioned line item 8200, the Florida Native Plant Environment Fund donation of $500. Mr. Boucher asked Mr. Gardulski to review line item 8200 and return to council regarding what this was spent on and the benefits. City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 17, 2006 Page 3 of 4 Stormwater Fund Pa es 98 -106 Mr. Gardulski summarized that revenues are projected at less than last year ($950,000 estimated revenue) and utility fees are the same. Ms. Bowers noted that there was a project that was budgeted in two places but that has been corrected. Mayor Randels asked if the stormwater rate of $3 per household is adequate to fund stormwater needs. Mr. Gardulski responded that he feels the rate is adequate for next year. Mayor Randels reviewed $314,000 worth of grants anticipated for next year. Mr. Gardulski responded to Mr. Bruns that the city's stormwater tax is the lowest in the county and some cities have not even implemented a stormwater program. Council wanted to demonstrate to the citizens what could be accomplished with the $3 rate, for example the Canaveral ditch area project. Mr. Boucher questioned whether the county should submit monies for the Holman Road project because Avon by the Sea residents are paying stormwater fee assessments also. Mr. Boucher commended Mr. Ratliff for finding grants to match taxpayer assessments such as the collector box at Buchanan and Orange. Mr. Ratliff stated that there are new regulations developing that may affect the smaller cities. Wastewater Fund Pastes 82-86 Mr. Gardulski summarized $2.5 million in revenues from the utility fund and $1.9 million in sewer expansion revenue. He continued that assessments have dropped tremendously and these figures are pre building boom numbers. He stated that assessment fees are at $1.1 million this year however the numbers will lower next year. Mr. Boucher stated that the City Council will review the sewer rate study and will be considering modifying the commercial sewer rates. Ms. Bowers responded to council that utilities services should be budgeted at $203,750 rather than $145,600 Mr. Boucher addressed Ms. Bowers that he had given her a letter today showing a 100% increase in general liability insurance (line 4500). Mr. Gardulski explained that line 6300 was the public works maintenance building construction and Friday is the bid opening. Mr. Gardulski noted that June Smith is the new contact for Brown and Caldwell. Mr. Gardulski noted that a capital item had been removed: The bar screen rebuild system is being approved at the next City Council Meeting. He continued that the upgrade for the US scada system and the lift station computer system had been moved under collections. Items moved to future years: plasma cutter for shop, and MIG welder and lighting brought up to wind codes. Mr. Bruns asked about technology improvements in the amount of $3,000 instead $6,000. Mr. Gardulski responded to Mayor Randels that the bleach system is more expensive however the risks are lowered and the system is much safer. City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 17, 2006 Page 4 of 4 Mr. Gardulski stated that the hood exhaust pipes or ductwork for the lab has been set aside for discussion. Mr. Gardulski explained that the GIS person is currently contracted through Spherion and the new laptop is also for the GIS person for use in the field. Mayor Randels asked if $400,000 was sufficient for the Public Works maintenance building. Mr. Gardulski replied that bids results would be compiled during the week. Non - Department: Mayor Randels questioned these line items being located in non - department. Ms. Bowers replied that these line items could be readjusted and placed back into the departments. Mayor Pro Tern Hoog asked about the bidder for lift station one proposal at $800,000 and would this amount be sufficient. Mr. Gardulski replied that he would re- bid lift station one again early in the budget year. Mayor Randels questioned why the Bennix funds are maintained separate now that he has passed. Ms. Bowers stated the problem as; if the city buys assets, they must be purchased and identified as contributed funds. It was mentioned that these funds could be placed in escrow and used for maintenance of parks. Mr. Boucher announced the next budget meeting on 07 -25 -06 at 5:30 with the Recreation Department leading. Mr. Bruns asked for a 5 PM meeting time. Mr. Boucher encouraged council to inquire with department heads prior to the meeting should there be any questions. Mr. Boucher finalized that council should keep in mind the tax rates for August 1' when they will set the tentative proposed millage rate. Ms. Bowers stated that she would bring the rollback rates to the next meeting. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 6:45 P.M. Virginia Haas, Assistant City Clerk