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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 07-11-2002 Workshop CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING City Hall Annex 111 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida THURSDAY July 11, 2002 4:30 P.M. MINUTES CALL TO ORDER: Council Members Present: Council Member Jim Morgan Mayor Pro Tem Buzz Petsos j Mayor Rocky Randels Council Member Larry Weber Council Member Richard Treverton 1 Others Present: City Manager Bennett Boucher 1 City Clerk Susan Stills 1 City Treasurer Andrea Bowers Building Official Morris Reid 1 Recreation Director Nancy Hanson Public Works Director Ed Gardulski Commander George McGee, Canaveral Precinct Lt. Gary Young, Canaveral Precinct Fire Chief Dave Sargeant, CCVFD DISCUSSION: t i 1. Continuation of 2002/2003 General Fund Review. t Public Safety t ff Mayor Randels asked if there were any questions on the previous Public Safety budget. Mr. Treverton pointed out that $300,000 is the phased in amount of the Sheriff's Office request for this year. Mr. Treverton stated that if a referendum were not requested, this would require taking revenues from the Reserve Fund. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos said that he would like to review the remaining portions of I the budget prior to issuing a referendum. Mr. Morgan expressed favor with Law Enforcement's need. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos cautioned about fully funding Law Enforcement prior to promoting the referendum. Mr. Treverton expressed that he was sold on the three new requested positions, but he too agreed with promoting 1 i p p P I 3 1 Y i City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 11, 2002 Page 2 the referendum. Mr. Morgan expressed that no new positions had been added in twelve years. Mayor Randels reminded that the two new positions were acquired from COPS fast grant and he expressed conservative funding for the Law Enforcement positions. Mayor Randels pointed out that there was no money in the budget for a Community Center, a new City Hall or a maintenance building to store capital equipment. Mr. Morgan expressed that the City collects for Impact Fees and perhaps a better way could be used to expend these funds. Mr. Boucher replied that the uses for Impact Fee money were described in the Five - Year Capital Plan. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos pointed out that the funds in reserve are put down for catastrophic events. Mayor Randels expressed that he would prefer to see department heads attend the budget workshop session only when their budget is reviewed in order not to burden their time Council members concurred. Public Safety: Fire /Rescue Service Chief Sargeant stated that the actual Fire Department budget included the three new requested positions. Mayor Randels asked if that necessitated a half- volunteer; half -paid department. Chief Sargeant replied that the two -in, two -out rule applied regardless of staff size. He explained that the two plus two rule is Ce defined as two people in fighting the fire, two people outside and one in command. He stated that the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) would now respond to fire fighting safety. Chief Sargeant also stated that due to Division of Safety closing, the Fire Marshall's office now regulates the firefighters. He explained the Section 1710 and 1720 regulations in that Regulation 1710 is a 51 percent paid fire department. However his department falls under Regulation 1720 that is a half paid, half volunteer department. He said that the department has 40 volunteers with a waiting list. The department has a strong training program that continues to attract interested volunteers. Chief Sargeant stated that the Port continues to pay for half of funding. He expressed that health insurance costs continue to increase. He informed that Worker's Compensation Insurance would increase by 13 percent this year. Chief Sargeant replied to Mr. Morgan that the county is rated ISO 9 and the City is a rated ISO 4. Chief Sargeant expressed the need to share resources however due to equipment cost. Chief Sargeant informed about the increase in emergency calls was possibly due to pre - hospital care. Mr. Treverton questioned what the fire department was requesting in light of the raised millage. Chief Sargeant expressed that he did not desire to take from other department's funding to fund the fire department. However, the need for a fire inspector exists. He related that State mandates demand additional staff. Chief Sargeant replied to Mr. Morgan that only a Certified Fire Inspector hired by the local authority could be used for fire inspections. He emphasized the need for continual inspections due to potential unprofessional ethics on construction jobs. He stated that the citizens City of Cape Canaveral, Florida } City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 11, 2002 Page 3 are the ones who suffer as r a result and his staff works diligently on inspections and plans reviews. Mr. Treverton asked if some of the reviews could be contracted. Chief Sargeant replied that a Certified Fire Inspector must perform a fire protection inspection. He said that the cost of plans reviews could be raised however to cover costs. Discussion followed to raise the cost on new construction and not annual inspection fees. Mayor Randels stated that the consensus of the Council for a workshop to review Impact Fees. Chief Sargeant reviewed an equipment cost table that consisted of only the city's share. He submitted a cost of $175,000 for a new pumper truck. Chief Sargeant spoke on refurbishing the fire station. Mayor Randels clarified that the building on Jackson Avenue can only be used as a fire station. Chief Sargeant stated that the building was constructed by volunteer labor with donated materials. He expressed that construction could be done on the adjacent lots and also expressed what other options are being considered. Mayor Randels asked at what cost. Chief Sargeant stated $1.3 million is an approximate cost. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos said that if fire grants diminish, community grants might still be available. Chief Sargeant related that he would state what is needed and leave the decision of the millage to the Council. Ms. Bowers informed that the League has some bonds issues available with good rates for capital improvements. Chief Sargeant pointed out that a full one mill was considered to pay for the large items such as the pumper truck in fiscal year 2004/ 2005 and an additional truck in the years to follow. He said that the need for large expenses would still arise ti regardless of the amount of funds available. Chief Sargeant emphasized the need to set aside funding in order not to take funds from other departments. Mayor Randels calculated that one -half mill would equal $477,000 and one full mill would generate approximately $1 million. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos expressed his concern with recipients receiving a tax bill near an election that might damage promoting the referendum for the one mill increase for police services. Building Department Mr. Reid referred to the graph he distributed on the Building Department's completed projects. Mr. Reid reviewed proposed construction in addition to what has been approved by the Planning and Zoning Board. He stated that the City is growing rapidly. Mr. Reid also stated that he requested a full -time secretary with funding to be divided with the Code Enforcement Fund. He plans to change the permitting process from paper to CD's. He requested that all new construction be submitted on CD and residential plans submitted incrementally in the same manner. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos asked how the overtime projection was computed. Mr. Reid stated that this was based on overtime currently used. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos questioned the decrease in Communications. Mr. Boucher would review. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos questioned Equipment Maintenance costs. C e Mr. Reid responded that this item covered the copier maintenance fee. City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 11, 2002 Page 4 The Chair called for a brief recess at 6:34 P.M. Mayor Randels called the meeting to order at 6:40. Street Department Mr. Gardulski stated that the $8,400 in Contractual Services is for Street Sweeping however that would be moved once the Stormwater fund is established. Mr. Gardulski explained the 247 percent communication increase due to Nextel cell phone service for Public Works staff. He related that there are too many dead spots in the city and the Nextel phones would replace the existing radio service. Mayor Randels inquired if the City has one contract for all cellular phones. Mr. Gardulski affirmed. Mr. Morgan commented on airtime costs. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos expressed his concern with the high cost service expense and he asked how staff is currently contacted. Mr. Gardulski replied that he contacts staff using the car radio. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos suggested using an alphanumeric pager. Mr. Treverton questioned about the long -range street re- surfacing plan? Mr. Gardulski replied that this budget is for operating only. Mr. Morgan stated the need to calculate the value of lost air time when trying to use the current system. Mr. Bandish said that the 800 mega -hertz system, that is the next step in the radio systems, is costly. Mr. Gardulski stated that the Building and Grounds Maintenance would be decreased by $4,000 and that Street repair cost at $8,400 C ie was moved to Contract Services. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos inquired about the street signs. Mr. Gardulski responded that this would include the beach end signs. However, the project has become difficult due to the technical and legal requirements. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos expressed that the signs should not be intrusive. Mr. Morgan suggested a natural appearance to the signage. Mr. Boucher said that user- friendly language would be used Mayor Randels referred to line item .6300 in that more sidewalks would be added in the future. Mr. Gardulski stated that he anticipates replacing the 13- year -old flat -bed dump truck and then replacing one vehicle per year to maintain the fleet. Parks and Recreation Ms. Hanson informed that there was little change in the fund except in Capital Outlay. Mr. Boucher reminded that the City would share on the County's project with the pavilion at Manatee Sanctuary Park. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos asked if there were any requirements in the grant for the North Banana River Park this year. Mr. Boucher replied that landscaping around the perimeter would help meet the State's requirements. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos stated that if impact fee funding were available, the City should use it. Mr. Morgan asked about the two percent increase in salaries and wages. Ms. Hanson stated that rainy days account for lower time usage. Mr. Treverton emphasized that there was a low turnover rate in City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 11, 2002 Page 5 Ms. Hanson's staff and the City overall. Discussion concluded with a prospective jogging trail at the Manatee Sanctuary Park. Community Appearance Board Mayor Randels stated that the Community Appearance Board Budget was accepted as presented. Mr. Morgan inquired about the Board's effectiveness. Mayor Randels related that the Board seemed a hindrance to developers in that one more step is required in the construction process. Mr. Treverton related that the Board has been influential in the amount of landscaping as well as the upgraded aesthetics in commercial buildings such as the Wendy's. Legal Services Mayor Randels inquired about the increase for legal services. Mr. Boucher replied that the increase was due to the Code Review meetings. Mayor Randels stated no significant change in the fund. Garbage Services Mr. Morgan asked for a definition of "tipping." Mayor Pro Tem Petsos clarified that tip page is the disposal fee. Mayor Randels informed that refrigerators are not picked up unless they display a de freon sticker. Mr. Bandish explained that an air conditioner service is required to remove the freon from a refrigerator before disposal. Mr. Morgan stated that at times the service leaves debris when picking up yard waste and garbage. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos related that the weather and the longer weekends might affect service. Mayor Randels stated no significant change in the fund. Business and Cultural Development Board The fund was accepted as presented. Code Enforcement Board The fund was accepted as presented. Non - Departmental Grant funding would be required for the Banana River Park. Discussion ensued on the Non-Operating expense fund. Mr. Treverton asked for the historic use of P 9 ex P this fund. Mr. Boucher replied that this could be used for any department. Discussion followed on the possible uses for the contingency fund. Cre City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Budget Workshop Meeting July 11, 2002 Page 6 Police Education Fund The fund was accepted as presented. Fire Protection Fund The fund was accepted as presented. Library Fund Mayor Randels stated that sealing the library Y g parking lot is the only plan for capital improvement. The fund was accepted as presented. Beautification Fund Mr. Gardulski stated that the 24 percent increase in contract services was due to the tree - trimming program. Mr. Gardulski also stated that the 125 percent increase in operating supplies was for replacement of Christmas decorations. Mayor Randels informed that Florida Power and Light was receptive to the banners on any pole with a light. (0, Co g e,9 lirmget again on Tuesday, July 16 at 5:00 P.M. There be#g no furth df = sion, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 8:30 P.M. M ari = s,CI * . L RK / 1: 7 7