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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 09-18-2001 Regular CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING CITY HALL ANNEX 111 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida 1 TUESDAY 1 September 18, 2001 7:00 PM MINUTES I CALL TO ORDER: ROLL CALL: 1 Council Members Present: Burt Bruns Mayor Pro Tem Buzz Petsos Mayor Rocky Randels 4 Larry Weber Richard Treverton 1 Others Present: Bennett Boucher, City Manager Mark McQuagge, Assistant City Attorney Susan Stills, City Clerk I Andrea Bowers, City Treasurer 4 Morris Reid, Building Official Nancy Hanson, Recreation Director 4 PRESENTATIONS: The Beautification Board canceled its meeting for September 11, 2001 due to the tragic national events. Nominations and subsequent awards will be done at a later meeting. i PROCLAMATIONS: 1 Civility Week Mayor Randels read the proclamation in its entirety. Mayor presented the proclamation 1 to the Girl Scout Troop Junior Troop No. 1737. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos also presented the troop with pins in honor of their civility efforts. 1 National Pharmacy Week Mayor Randels read the proclamation in its entirety. Mayor presented the proclamation 1 to Mrs. Kathy Petsos. Mrs. Petsos reminded the audience of the importance of 1 communicating with your pharmacist. I, i i i 9 4 1 3 3 City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Regular Meeting September 18, 2001 Page 2 1 CONSENT AGENDA: Mayor Randels asked if any Council member, staff or interested party desired to remove an item from the Consent Agenda for discussion. 1 Mr. Treverton requested to remove Item No. 5 for discussion. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Petsos and seconded by Mr. Bruns to approve Consent Agenda Items 1 through 4. The motion carried 5-0 with voting as follows: Mr. Bruns, For; Mayor Pro Tem Petsos, For; Mayor Randels, For; Mr. Treverton, For; and Mr. Weber, For. 1. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of September 4, 2001. 2. Policy for Street Signage at Public/ Private Roadways. 3. Law Enforcement Contract with Brevard County Sheriffs office. 4. Amendment to the Fire /Rescue Services Agreement. 5. Outdoor Entertainment Permit for the Brevard County Traveling Skate Park. 1 A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Petsos and seconded by Mr. Bruns to approve the Outdoor Entertainment Permit for the Brevard County Traveling Skate Park. Mr. Treverton questioned who would control parking during this event. Ms. Hanson said that she would ask Commander McGee for assistance from the precinct at the morning staff meeting. Ms. Hanson explained that the park would be modified to fit the area. The motion carried 5 -0 with voting as follows: Mr. Bruns, For; Mayor Pro Tem Petsos, For; Mayor Randels, For; Mr. Treverton, For; and Mr. Weber, For RESOLUTIONS: 6. Motion to Adopt: Resolution No. 01 -24; Establishing an Investment Policy. A motion was made by Mr. Weber and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Petsos to adopt Resolution No. 01 -24 , Establishing an Investment Policy. Mr. Boucher explained that this resolution is a requirement of the Florida Statutes. Policies are established to show how City surplus funds are being invested. Ms. Bowers explained for Mr. Bruns that the State requires a written policy at this time although this was done in the past through the auditors. Mayor Randels questioned if any investments are excluded from the policy. ' Ms. Bowers said that riskier investments are excluded and the policy is conservative. I Mayor Randels referenced the League of Cities investment program and asked why it was not considered. Ms. Bowers responded that the League's investments are not liquid and the return on investment is not comparative to State Board of Administration. Mr. 1 1 1 I City of Cape Canaveral, Florida ; City Council Regular Meeting September 18, 2001 Page 3 1 i Boucher said that the policy is an evolutionary document and other investment options could be included at a later time. The motion carried 5 -0 with voting as follows: Mr. Bruns, For; Mayor Pro Tem Petsos, For; Mayor Randels, For; Mr. Treverton, For; and Mr. Weber, For. e 7. Motion to Adopt: Resolution No. 01 -27; Establishing a Defined Contribution Pension Plan. 1 A motion was made by Mr. Treverton and seconded by Mr. Weber to Adopt Resolution 1 No. 01 -27; Establishing a Defined Contribution Pension Plan. Mr. Boucher explained the highlights of the plan as: 1) the City will continue to contribute seven percent of employees wages, 2) the vesting schedule would decrease from 10 to 5 years, and 3) employees would choose their investments with the help of certified financial planners. Mr. Boucher introduced Ms. Jeannie Hagen, from the Florida League of Cities, who explained that the plan would provide fund options from which employees could choose for their retirement plan. Ms. Hagan stated that CitiStreet is a registered financial advisor group that is authorized to recommend funds. She explained the participatory role that the plan would offer employees with different avenues for access to their accounts such as the Internet. Ms. Hagen commented that the Pension Reform Act adopted at the Federal level now allows for portability of retirement savings. Ms. Hagan informed that CitiStreet would offer funds other than its own. Mr. Bruns asked if each 1 employee would gain a different retirement benefit and questioned the possibility of no substantial retirement benefits. Ms. Hagen replied that the diversification of stock and bond funds would offset the possibility of no significant return on an investment. 1 Mr. Treverton asked if CitiStreet had no load funds. Ms. Hagen affirmed that no fees were involved and read the list of fourteen available funds. Ms. Hagen replied to Mr. Treverton that she would review the funds monthly and a fund committee would review them quarterly. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos questioned Internet access. Ms. Hagen replied that employees would have the opportunity to move funds at will and that the funds have no front or back -end fees. Ms. Hagen stated that there is an overall administrative fee of 30 basis points or $3,000. She added that the mutual funds do have expenses. Ms. Hagan explained that the employee would learn to make investment choices based on individual financial needs. She explained further that distribution counseling is performed for employees within the five -year range of retirement and special concern is given to their needs. Ms. Hagen emphasized that employee education is the key to their plan success. The motion carried 5 -0 with voting as follows: Mr. Bruns, For; Mayor Pro Tem Petsos, For; Mayor Randels, For; Mr. Treverton, For; and Mr. Weber, For. 8. Motion to Adopt: Resolution No. 01 -32; Beach Access Easement Agreement. i A motion was made by Mr. Weber and seconded by Mr. Treverton to adopt Resolution No. 01 -32; Beach Access Easement Agreement. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos asked to see a more defined map of the beach access. Mr. Maath Bennett, of Towne Realty, presented i 1 3 I i City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Regular Meeting September 18, 2001 I Page 4 f 1 a larger depiction of the proposed easement area for Council's review. Mr. Treverton clarified that Towne Realty would build the sidewalk and the crossover and deed the entire project to the City. Mr. Bennett affirmed for Mr. Bruns that anyone riding a bike or 1 walking would have continuous thoroughfare. Mayor Randels clarified that bikes would 1 not have access into the gated community. Ms. Beatrice McNeely, Planning and Zoning i 1 Chairperson, explained that the project was the best way to meet the City comprehensive plan requirements. Mr. Nicholas asked who is responsible for the maintenance? Mr. Bennett replied that the City would assume responsibility. Mr. 1 . Bennett replied to Mr. Weber that Towne Realty would include decorative landscaping. Mr. Treverton commended all involved on this additional beach access. The motion carried 5 -0 with voting as follows: Mr. Bruns, For; Mayor Pro Tem Petsos, For; Mayor Randels, For; Mr. Treverton, For; and Mr. Weber, For I I 1 DISCUSSION: 9. Employee Health Insurance. 1 Mr. Boucher provided background on the existing employee health insurance plan with the 1 Florida League of Cities. He explained that the employees are covered under the Gold Plan for 100 percent of health, dental, vision and life. Mr. Boucher reported that staff with the help of an independent underwriter gathered information on comparative PPO plans as well as HMO plans and submitted the results for Council's review at the last meeting. Mr. Boucher said that he held a meeting with the employees on Wednesday, September 12 along with Mayor Randels to gain input on this issue. He related that the employees were not favorable of an HMO plan at the cost of losing existing patient/ doctor relationships. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos asked if losing an existing physician is a valid concern. Mr. Boucher responded that health insurance is an emotional issue. He asked employees if they were willing to contribute out -of- pocket for the PPO coverage at ten or fifteen dollars per pay period. However, employees gave little response to the contribution for health care concept. Mr. Boucher stated that the City has a dual obligation of providing employee health care as well as resourceful use of taxpayer's money. Mayor Randels shared his notes from the employee meeting with the Council. He related that employees found HMO's too limited in the range of doctors and reiterated that employees would lose doctor /patient relationships. Mayor Randels also shared that the gatekeeper function of primary care physician to specialist would incur double co- payments. He said that the employees did not desire any employee contribution and they did not desire less coverage. Mr. Wes Fox, Water Reclamation, expressed that there was confusion about the employee meeting, but he would now consider a Blue Cross/ Blue Shield HMO plan. Mr. Weber expressed that PPO and HMO plans were comparative in providers. Mayor Randels summarized that the decision is how much the City is willing to spend on employee health insurance and would the City retain the costly Gold plan and require employees to pay the difference. Mr. Weber questioned the difference in the Gold, Silver and Bronze plans. Mr. Boucher replied that the plans differ in co -pay and out -of- pocket expenses. Mr. Treverton expressed that although he favors employee health care, 1 1 City of Cape Canaveral, Florida 1 , I City Council Regular Meeting t I September 18, 2001 : , Page 5 1 , I 2 Council has a duty in spending of tax dollars. He stated that due to the increased cost of t 1 health care the City could no longer afford to pay for 100 percent of employee medical costs. Discussion followed on existing costs versus the renewal premium. , 1 1 1 Mr. Bruns expressed the possibility of separating the health plan and viewing dental and vision plans as ancillary concerns to which employees could contribute. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos pointed out that some programs provide dental and vision coverage at a reduced i cost with medical coverage. Mr. Boucher said that the City is required to provide a base 1 coverage. Chief Sargeant responded to Mr. Bruns that he had a relatively inexpensive 1 ) plan due to his census. Mr. Bruns expressed favor in a cafeteria-style plan. Ms. Bowers , replied that there are few networks to choose from in this area Mr. Treverton suggested a primary and supplemental plan for dual coverage. Ms. Bowers related the complexities of dual plan payment and she expressed favor of the Blue Cross/ Blue Shield HMO plan. Mr. Boucher said the dental coverage could continue with the League of Cities if the City I removed the health care. Mr. Dennis Thompson, Independent Consultant with Thompson, Bostrom and Associates of Cocoa Beach provided background information on HMO plans 1 1 and related what other cities faced in switching from a PPO to an HMO plan. Mr. Boucher summarized that staff would formally bid for HMO coverage with the option of dual i i coverage and including ancillary dental, vision and life insurance plans. He would also I establish an employee committee to review the submitted bids in order to provide a E recommendation. He expressed that the City would remain with the current provider until 1 i making a final decision. 1 I REPORTS: 1 1. City Manager • Mr. Boucher commended staff for their emergency preparedness work during the tropical storm situation. 1 , 2. Staff Fire and Law Enforcement • Commander McGee alerted to the FBI's investigations regarding terrorists using fire vehicles as weapons. • Chief Sargeant reported that the Fire Department colleted $9,617.01 for New York firefighters, police and emergency services. • Chief Sargeant explained how fire towers are used for training purposes at the Port station. Building Department • Mr. Reid reported that background check processing is underway for a Code , Enforcement Officer and a Building Inspector. II, i City of Cape Canaveral, Florida 1 City Council Regular Meeting September 18, 2001 Page 6 City Clerk • Mrs. Stills reported that four candidates qualified to run for City Council in this year's election and the names are: Burt Bruns, Jim Morgan, Hans Saurenmann and Richard Treverton. City Attorney • Attomey McQuagge reported that Dwight Severs is the agreed mediator in the Cocoa Beach reuse agreement resolution. Attomey McQuagge asked for Council's authority to receive an Attomey General's opinion on meetings held prior to the mediation process and I an opinion regarding who would be the mediating participants. 5 3. City Council Mr. Weber • Mr. Weber commended staff on the laptop computers. He requested a future workshop meeting on utilization of these computers. • Mr. Weber reported that due to national tragedy and the tropical storm the Beach Clean - 1 up was rescheduled for October 6 1 Mr. Treverton • No report. I Mr. Bruns j $ • Mr. Bruns questioned the status of the Washington Avenue Park sidewalk. Mr. Boucher I replied that a pre - construction meeting was held and work would begin on Friday, September 21s • Mr. Bruns thanked staff for the flag display. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos • Mayor Pro Tem Petsos commented that he saw no specific discussion in the County Library Board minutes that merited refusal to use the library meeting room. Mr. Boucher replied that the concems in the original letter remain and he related the County Library's position that a permanent meeting room was not a compatible use with library functions. Mayor Pro Tem Petsos and Mr. Bruns expressed favor to proceed with using the library meeting room. Mr. Boucher said that he would develop a concept plan and draft an amendment. Mayor Randels • No report. AUDIENCE TO BE HEARD: 1 • No comment. 4 g i 1 1 I City of Cape Canaveral, Florida City Council Regular Meeting September 18, 2001 Page 7 ADJOURN ve Theiig no fur�he the meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M. 0 S E474/ . 4J2j 0 Q_ Rocky Randels, 1 MAYOR 6 v • • usar* i c1"r Y 3 4 5 4 Ft