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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 08-15-2006 WorkshopCity Council Budget Workshop Meeting City Hall Annex 111 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida TUESDAY August 15, 2006 5: 00 P.M. MINUTES Call to Order: Council Members Present: Council Member Burt Bruns Mayor Pro Tern Bob Hoog Mayor Rocky Randels Council Member Absent: Council Member Leo Nicholas Council Member Buzz Petsos Others Present: City Manager Bennett Boucher Asst. City Clerk Virginia Haas City Treasurer Andrea Bowers Fire Chief Dave Sargeant Commander Doug Scragg DISCUSSION: 5:30 - 6:00 mm. Fire and Emergency_ Services Chief Sargeant explained that he would only be reviewing changes made since the last budget workshop. He explained a transfer from capital to contract in the amount of $34,000 because the Port is coming into agreement regarding capital purchases. He noted that this was only a shuffle of money and an updated capital schedule has been provided to the city. Chief Sargeant continued that he has requested an additional $15,000 in contract services to offset the training costs at Port Canaveral Maritime Academy in which the City receives $80,000 in training benefits due to the Port paying 100 %. He noted that the CCVFD is also submitting $15,000. Chief Sargeant stated that reserve funds decreased to $196,000 from $270,000 and the total budget decreased to $1,565,483, which is a $59,672 decrease. He explained to council that the fire ad valorem tax is $1,385,574, $36,000 EMS refund, $10,000 Fire City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting August 15, 2006 Page 2 of 4 Inspections, $1,100 Fire Tax Penalty and $2,300 Interest on Tax for a total of $1,434,974, and add to that $130,509 from the General Fund and Impact fees for a total of $1,565,483. Chief Sargeant explained that the attorneys stated that the Fire Department would be offering the City and the Fire Department an option which once we did not have. Mayor Randels noted it would take another referendum to remove the added charter language. Chief Sargeant replied that he was not even sure that the City is allowed to give funds to the Fire Department. He stressed that what was being talked about was $3 million dollars worth of tax payer's money however the city would own everything. Chief Sargeant stated that the board agrees that the Fire Department would not just take the citizens' money without something in return. The department's suggestion is an opportunity for the city and the board voted yes for the referendum. Chief Sargeant reviewed the cost for a $3 million dollar loan with bond money. The proposed income for 2007/2008 is $1.7 million and the proposed expenses are $1.68 million with $172,808 in reserves. The $182,000 is a 30 -year debt payment which could be issued at 15 or 20 years also. Mr. Boucher stated that he wanted Chief Sargeant to show City Council that they are serious about progress and want the Council to feel confident about the ad valorem rate without increasing fire taxes. Chief Sargeant explained that the Council could still raise .48 mils in voter approved taxes. Chief Sargeant responded to Mayor Randels that the rate is a 4.5°x6 bond and we could only project what is available today. Mayor Randels reminded that the fire department volunteers were decreasing and the department would soon begin moving to a full -time paid fire department. Chief Sargeant stated that the bottom line is doing the best for your community. He believes that these additions will be dose to what is needed for a long time, not withstanding any new regulations. He continued that the county charter referendums may make changes and that would effect the department and further at this time the department is only exploring options. He explained that the Port Fire Station cost was $1.9 million 9 years ago. Chief Sargeant replied to council that the city and the Fire Department would have to negotiate a share agreement because the building and property has value. He reminded that the plan is very preliminary and would have to go out to bid. Mayor Randels stated that they understand the figures, facts and opportunity which is contingent upon the referendum passing. Chief Sargeant stated that regardless, he is required to act in bringing the building to current standards and the referendum would assist the city. He noted that he could acquire a loan and charge it back to the city however the citizens would have an ownership if completed through city channels by referendum. Mayor Randels agreed that Chief Sargeant had shown an adequate way of funding a fire station. City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting August 15, 2006 Page 3 of 4 6:00 — 6:30 P. m. Law Enforcement Commander Scragg presented a proposed 5 -year plan as requested by City Council. He explained that he considered replacement capital items like vehicles, laptops and items that have shelf life. Mayor Randels asked about the staffing issues. Commander Scragg replied that population statistics show the southern states at 2.6 officers per 1000 which includes those populations between 10 and 50 thousand. Commander Scragg responded to Mr. Bruns that the city is currently at 2.4 deputies per 1,000; however the city's population is over 10,000. Commander Scragg responded to Mr. Bruns that the total of 10,000 only includes the permanent population not including the seasonal influx and tourists. He continued that on a local level, the City of Cocoa runs at 4 deputies per thousand. Commander Scragg stated that with the City's projected population build -out of 13,000 he believes in proceeding forward rather than backward in regards to staffing. He explained the department is not understaffed but a bit below average. Mayor Pro Tem Hoog stated that the main point is to provide a level of service which is increasing as we grow. Mayor Pro Tem Hoog asked what the requirement today to have 2 more officers was. Commander Scragg responded that the need is not driven by crime because the city's crimes are decreasing. He continued that the staffing levels and shortages occur because the department is having to backfill road deputy positions from other areas like special operations division. Commander Scragg stated that he doesn't want the city to become an easy mark for crime and desires criminals to bypass Cape Canaveral by maintaining the current level of service. He continued that the largest complaint from line supervisors is that they don't have enough people and the department is running thin with no avenues to pull deputies. Mayor Randels asked if the staffing shortage could be from training, workers compensation claims and injuries. Commander Scragg affirmed that the department is receiving State mandated education training requirements. Recurrent training is required by the State and continues to grow. Commander Scragg continued that with additional staff, overtime would be decreased and the department already manages overtime well through the budget. Commander Scragg agreed with Mayor Randels that the School Resource Officer, Domestic Violence Officer, Community Policing units and activities like National Night Out are interactions with the public which are immeasurable. Mr. Bruns questioned whether domestic violence calls are the number one request. Commander Scragg responded that reference calls are violence but not necessarily domestic, however domestic violence is high on the list. Mr. Bruns stated that he does not wish to see the General Crimes Unit being pulled from narcotic cases due to the considerable number of past successful drug arrests. Mayor Pro Tem Hoog concurred with Mr. Bruns. Mayor Randels submitted that the City does not truly know if the department is operating efficiently, but the sighted results are positive. Mayor Pro Tem Hoog stated his main concern as the city drug activity and believes in zero tolerance within the city. City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting August 15, 2006 Page 4 of 4 Commander Scragg noted that eliminating drug dealing is his passion and unfortunately narcotic dealings are relocating from place to place, which requires additional time and policing. Commander Scragg explained that there was a $120,000 e9 overage in regards to the desk officers and he has made an adjustment to the purchase of vehicles to 4 rather than 6 lowering the request by $75,000 for a total city fund return of $185,000. He encouraged the value of people rather than materials and vehicles. Mayor Randels requested more deputy visibility in the city. Mr. Bruns voiced his favor of the submitted budget including the fund return of$185,000. Mayor Randels asked about new light bars for the police cruisers and whether community could have the old light bars. y Resident Frank Kuhn's stated he has no problem with the city officers however he inquired as to why the city's patrol cars appear on 528, at the Port, and Avon by the Sea area. He noted his disfavor with the union allowing the employees to drive city vehicles home. Mr. Boucher responded that the level of service contract each year has nothing to do with the police department's labor contract. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 6:55 P.M. -(.91 Virginia aas, AStistON City Clerk { I{ • 1. j R, ...